A local club’s call to pull county teams from Allianz-backed competitions kept the embers glowing on a hard question we can’t dodge: how do we weigh moral conviction against the real costs of running community sport?

We examine the Allianz–GAA sponsorship, the Ethics Committee’s decision to continue, the activism demanding a break, and the lived reality for clubs that rely on stable funding, insurance, and youth investment.

We map the terrain clearly. First, the claims centre on indirect association highlighted in a UN report, not direct wrongdoing by the local entity. Second, if we universalise that standard, almost every major supplier—from telecoms and banks to aviation and tech—becomes contested, and sport risks a purity test it cannot pass consistently. Third, cutting ties has consequences that land on coaches, parents, and players, with real impacts on welfare, league operations, and development pathways. None of that excuses complacency; it demands smarter governance.

Take a listen and please do share your own considered thoughts with us through rob@sportforbusiness.com.

 

 

 

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SPORT FOR BUSINESS

Sport for Business is Ireland’s leading platform focused on the commercial, strategic and societal impact of sport. It connects decision-makers across governing bodies, clubs, brands, agencies and public institutions through high-quality journalism, events and insight. Sport for Business explores how sport drives economic value, participation, inclusion and national identity, while holding organisations to account on governance and sustainability.

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