There is an odd scenario currently taking place in Westport in Mayo, as town officials have forbidden Westport GAA club from putting up a banner to wish the Mayo U-20s well in their All Ireland Final on Sunday.
The Mayo panel contains six players who play their football with Westport GAA club, and the plan had been to erect a banner at the bottom of Bridge Street, but the clubs plans were scuppered as there was already a banner in that location.
Westport area manager Padriac Walsh explained Mayo County Council's decision:
A second banner visually will not look well and set a precedent into the future. The judging into the Tidy Towns is about to happen, and two banners on Bridge Street while the judging is going on certainly won’t help. I thought sharing the location would take place, but I don’t think that is feasible.
Westport councillor Brendan Mulroy was none too happy with the Council's position, and argued that there should be a provision made for the second banner:
If it was any other town in west Mayo they would be absolutely proud of their players. We have lost the plot here. I think it is a disgrace … that is the ultimate kick up the arse if you cannot erect a banner to a young lad or girl and wish them well.
We are doing our best in schools and with youth to get them involved in sport and then when they do achieve at a very high level we cannot put up a banner. I’m bitterly disappointed that that is the response of the executive.
