JUSTICE Minister Naomi Long condemned a video posted online that shows fans crowded onto a street, celebrating Dungannon Clarkes' victory over Trillick in the Tyrone football final on Sunday.
The video, appears to show fans wearing Dungannon Clarke's jerseys, holding the O'Neill Cup above their heads and singing a song that mentions the IRA.
Earlier hundreds of fans had staged a pitch invasion following the historic win, in breach of Covid guidelines on sporting events. The PSNI say they are investigating to see whether Covid-19 regulations were breached.
Commenting on social media the Alliance Party leader said: "I think it's deeply offensive and hurtful to those who lost loved ones during the Troubles.
"This kind of conduct in connection with any sport simply damages the reputation of all those involved.
"These people aren't representative of all GAA supporters any more than those involved in previous similar incidents were representative of all NI fans", she added.
DUP MLA Thomas Buchanan also condemned the footage saying: “The GAA has serious questions to answer about the Covid-19 rules being ignored and people parading the trophy whilst singing about the PIRA.
"This type of activity can’t be swept under the carpet.
"Young people involved in GAA look to the organisation for leadership".
First Minister Arlene Foster also posted on Twitter about the crowd scenes.
"Significant milestone for Dgn (Dungannon) but Covid-19 is no respecter of victories. Other events being responsible. Sport and health will be the losers. @UlsterGAA need to address this. Serious questions arising from videos".
PSNI Ch Supt Ryan Henderson said: "We are aware of an incident at a GAA match in Omagh yesterday and will be reviewing all available evidence to determine any potential breach of the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations NI 2020 or breach of any other statute identified in respect of any individual."
In a statement Ulster GAA said that in light of the post-match scenes "Ulster GAA is strongly re-iterating the GAA’s message that no spectators should enter the field of playing following games".
“The GAA has put in place protocols surrounding all aspects of the playing of games and, for the greater part, they have been universally observed", they added.
"Over the weekend there were adult County Finals in six of our nine counties and evidence from across the province is that these protocols were adhered to, with spectators remaining in the stand during post-match presentations.
“The GAA has led the way in its response to this pandemic at community level and has safely returned players and spectators to our games in a safe and responsible way. Ulster GAA has worked closely with our Counties co-operating with Governments and public health agencies adhering to the restrictions and conveying wider public health messages to our members.
“With more County Finals due in the coming weeks, Ulster GAA is again appealing to all our units to behave responsibly."
It added that if such scenes are repeated "we will risk going back to a position where all games will be played behind closed doors.”
