Down GAA have issued a statement after a banner was flown overhead during Sunday's Ulster Senior Football Championship win over Donegal at Páirc Esler.
The Mournemen booked their place in the Ulster semi-final courtesy of a dominant win over a Donegal side in disarray, but the incident in the first half took the shine off the brilliant win.
The banner in question contained a message that was directed at Down county board secretary Seán Óg McAteer.
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The noise from the plane which flew the banner was audible and could be heard on television coverage of the game.
Several Down GAA personalities took to social media to show their support for Seán Óg McAteer, with Down GAA themselves strongly condemning the incident in a statement released on Sunday evening.
“We hope that all spectators who attended today’s Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final in Newry enjoyed their afternoon,” the statement read.
“We congratulate our team and management, and we look forward to the semi-final next weekend and the U20 final on Wednesday.
“We regret that the vindictive actions of an individual, who arranged for a banner to be flown above the ground during the first half of the senior game, was an attempt to tarnish the occasion.
“It is clear to everyone that this was the action of someone who could not be regarded as a true supporter of Down and the GAA.
“We value the trojan work and dedication of our County Secretary Seán Óg McAteer and of all our officers and volunteers, and we would encourage the individual behind this stunt to put their time and resources to better use.”
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