Bloody Sunday

by Tom Ryan Ard Stiúrthóir of the GAA 2021

On the 21st November we paused to remember the centenary of the Bloody Sunday attack on Croke Park and the innocent lives lost at the ground on that day in 1920. 

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In a simple and solemn ceremony, we lit a torch for each of the 14 Croke Park victims – and in doing so shone a light on a group of people who have not always had the prominence or recognition that their contribution to our history merits. 

The Croke Park Bloody Sunday story is a human tragedy; the harrowing tale of ordinary people who went to a match and who never came home. 

The high point of the commemorative work was the centenary calendar anniversary of 21st November which fell on the Saturday night of the Leinster senior football final. 

Great credit is due to Robert Smith Events for assisting us in having a pitch perfect ceremony which was honoured by the presence of Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D Higgins, An Taoiseach Michéal Martin and Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. 

Wreaths were laid on the spot where Tipperary corner back Michael Hogan was fatally shot and killed as he tried desperately to crawl to safety. 

It was important that it was a night without hierarchy and there was due recognition for all of those who we lost that awful day and who we are committed to honouring. 

The beautifully scripted words of Michael Foley, so eloquently delivered by Brendan Gleeson, summed it up perfectly:

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''They are our family, our friends, our people".