Now they’re being serious.
Hell hath no fury like Dublin fans scorned and the capital’s GAA contingent are not happy.
The big flag with the famous sky blue and navy on it that gets passed around Hill 16 before games is said to be banned from Croke Park in future.
It comes from a report from 98FM who say that Dublin Fire Brigade have warned the flag could pose as a fire or security threat.
It was therefore decided that the flag would no longer be allowed in headquarters but that decision has naturally not gone down well with Dublin fans and they’re not prepared to lie down and accept it.
Supporter groups of the boys in blue have united and are calling for a widespread retail boycott in Croke Park in protest to this latest enforcement.
They want Dublin fans to avoid the stadium’s confectionery shops, its drink pumps, its fast food outlets and merchandise stores but some are still working on a solution.
In the meantime though, Dublin fans have taken action and called for the boycott to come in for the champions’ quarter-final clash on August 5.
They say that the flag is just the tip of the iceberg of how Croke Park regulations are ruining supporters’ experience and that this boycott is in the interest of all GAA fans – not just those Dublin fans on Hill 16.
In a statement on behalf of Dublin GAA supporter pages, the plan has garnered serious reaction.
“Yesterday’s announcement that the large Dublin flag regularly seen at games would not be allowed on Hill 16 any longer was the latest in a long line of ridiculous rules and regulations for supporters who attend Hill 16 on match day. Unnecessary searches even before the new safety rules came in, caps taken off bottles of minerals, flags banned and a huge perspex screen are just some of the unnecessary ‘safety measures’ we have had to contend with.
“Yet the GAA and Croke Park have no issue leaving stairwells and fire exits blocked during games along with keeping us penned in behind the perspex screen. Where are the perspex screens for the other stands? Yesterday’s banning of the large flag has led us to finally say enough is enough.
“We as social media pages that represent Dublin GAA supporters are therefore calling on all Dublin GAA supporters to boycott every retail facility inside Croke Park on August 5th. We would urge you all to bring your own food and drinks and not contribute one cent to the bars, shops and every other outlet inside Croke Park. We regret any loss to the franchises involved but the continued disregard for supporters has forced us to call for this action. This is the only action possible that allows us to protest while also allowing us to support our team.
“We will continue the call for this boycott until the GAA addresses supporters concerns and may take further action in the form of boycotting games at Croke Park in the future if our pleas fall on deaf ears.
“Yours sincerely,
“Hill 16 Army, All Dublin GAA Fans, Dublin GAA, Home Of The Dubs, Dubs Banter Page, Dublin Live Sport, We Are Dublin GAA.”
