DUP 'Down' on congratulating the All-Ireland champs

Three members of the DUP voted against a proposal by SDLP Alderman Sean McKavanagh to congratulate the team on their success over Meath the previous Sunday.

But their opposition was defeated by seven votes, which included those of four SDLP members, a Workers’ Party and Alliance councillor and Ulster Unionist Alderman Sydney Cairns. Six other UUP councillors abstained.

Alderman Mrs Yvonne Calvert said she could not support the proposal because the game “perpetuates the myth and notion of a complete and united Ireland.

“As a unionist I cannot give any credence to a game or association which has a sectarian and discriminating rule book.

“We must remember its rules and objectives call for a 32 county republic outside the United Kingdom."

Mrs Calvert asked if the final had been played in Northern Ireland would the 'Union Jack' have been flown? “I fear not,” she said.

“The playing of this final was a further desecration of the Lord’s Day”, she added.

Alderman Sydney Cairns said he supported the proposal as an act of “common courtesy”.

“Our Council motto is ‘Together We Progress’ and as county Down is part of our borough I feel this proposal is quite in order,” he said.