This Saturday will see Ireland take on Australia at the EirGrid International Rules test at Croke Park, and the GAA are planning to mark the 95th anniversary of the events that took place on Bloody Sunday with a tribute before and during the match.
14 people, including Tipperary player Michael Hogan, were killed when British forces fired into the crowd during a challenge match between Dublin and Tipperary on November 21, 1920, and the GAA will light 14 flames on Hill 16, which will be closed to spectators during the match. The flames will stay lit for the evening, and the lights of Croke Park will also be dimmed to mark the occasion.
Uachtarán CLG Aogán Ó Fearghail and Árd Stiúrthóir Páraic Duffy will then be lead out by flag bearers to the spot where Michael Hogan was killed to lay a laurel wreath opposite gate 41, and a moment of silence will follow.
Speaking ahead of the occasion, Árd Stiúrthóir Páraic Duffy explained that all who died at Croke Park that day will be honored:
The events of Bloody Sunday on November 21, 1920 are as much a part of the history of Croke Park as any of the epic sporting contests which have taken place there since Gaelic games were first played on Jones’ Road.
The tragic loss of 14 lives on that fateful day, when almost 15,000 turned up to enjoy a football game between Dublin and Tipperary, was a harrowing moment for the Association, and while we have thankfully left those dark days behind us, it is only fitting that we honour the memory of those who were killed.
The memory of Tipperary’s Michael Hogan, who was 24 when he was killed, has lived on through the famous stand at Croke Park that bears his name. We are happy to play a part to ensure the names of the other 13 lives lost at Croke Park on Bloody Sunday – Jane Boyle (26), James Burke (44), Daniel Carroll (30), Michael Feery (40), Tom Hogan (19), James Matthews (48), Patrick O’Dowd (57), Jerome O’Leary (10), William Robinson (11), Tom Ryan (27), John William Scott (14), James Teehan (26) and Joe Traynor (21) are also honoured.
The tribute will take place before the 7pm kick-off between Ireland and Australia, but events at Croke Park will be underway from 4.35pm with the kickoff of Ireland vs Scotland in a Hurling/Shinty international test.
via Independent.ie
