The defaced signs. Credit: Cathal Boylan MLA
A sign supporting Armagh GAA players has been defaced with graffiti saying “no surrender”, with a local MLA branding it “disgraceful behaviour”.
The sign in the village of Ballymacnab was placed by Madden Rapparees GAA Club supporting two of their former players, Niall Grimley and Darragh McMullan, ahead of Armagh’s match against Galway in Croke Park this Sunday.
The sign said: “Good luck to Niall and Darragh and the Armagh team in the All-Ireland Final from everyone at Madden Raparees.”
The black graffiti daubed over the sign included a hand and the phrase “no surrender”.
In a post on Facebook, Sinn Fein MLA Cathal Boylan said it was “absolutely disgraceful behaviour”.
“The fact that the signs wishing Madden players all the best in the All-Ireland Final have been defaced with sectarian language,” he added.
“People all over the county are embracing this wonderful opportunity to celebrate our football stars and the massive effort they have put in to get into their first All-Ireland final in 21 years.
“Sectarianism has no place within our community.
“The people of Madden are proud of their GAA heritage and we wish Niall Grimley and Darragh McMullan and all the players and management the very best for the weekend.”
It comes as Alliance Party MLA Eoin Tennyson hit out at graffiti sprayed on an orange bus shelter in Maghery overnight which had “UVF” and “YCV” daubed on it.
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Mr Tennyson slammed the graffiti as “outrageous and unacceptable” and said it was “sectarian”.
“People from across our community are getting behind Armagh ahead of Sunday’s final, and spirits will not be dampened by pathetic thugs,” he added.
The PSNI has been contacted.
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