Northern Ireland

Co Down GAA pays touching tribute to Bloody Sunday victims

Hurlers wear black and rest No 14 jersey

A photograph of Bishop Daly leading a group as they carried victim, Jackie Duddy from the Bogside became one of the iconic images of Bloody Sunday.
A photograph of Bishop Daly leading a group as they carried victim Jackie Duddy from the Bogside on Bloody Sunday
By Connla Young, Security Correspondent

The GAA in Co Down has paid a touching tribute to the 14 innocent Catholic men shot dead by the British army on Bloody Sunday.

Next week marks the 52nd anniversary of the massacre when members of the Parachute Regiment opened fire on a civil rights march in Derry on January 30 1972.

Despite the passing of more than half a century the impact of the atrocity is still felt in the city and across the north.

Earlier this week the Down senior hurling team made their own gesture of respect for the innocent victims when they lined out for a friendly game against Derry.

Down hurlers rested their No 14 jersey against Derry this week in tribute to the Bloody Sunday dead
Down hurlers rested their No 14 jersey against Derry this week in tribute to the Bloody Sunday dead

Team manager Ronan Sheehan later posted that the squad had lined out it their mainly black kit and had rested the number 14 for the game - the number of people killed by the British army.

Posting on X, Mr Sheehan wrote: “Great run out in Derry tonight...black jerseys worn tonight and no number 14...we know the truth , time for justice #bloodysunday”.