The build-up to Sunday's All-Ireland SFC final has been soured in two Armagh villages by sectarian graffiti daubed on a well-wish sign and a bus stop.
A sign in Ballymacnab supporting former Madden Rapparees players Niall Grimley and Darragh McMullan ahead of Armagh's Sam Maguire Cup decider against Galway was defaced with graffiti saying “no surrender”, with local Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan describing it as "absolutely disgraceful behaviour."
A similar incident took place on a bus shelter outside Maghery. The shelter was painted in orange and white for the occasion, only to be then marked with the letters UVF.
"It is outrageous and unacceptable that this sectarian graffiti has appeared in Maghery overnight," Alliance MLA Eoin Tennyson
"People from across our community are getting behind Armagh ahead of Sunday’s final, and spirits will not be dampened by pathetic thugs."
The PSNI are investigating.
TweetIt is outrageous and unacceptable that this sectarian graffiti has appeared in Maghery overnight.
— Eóin Tennyson MLA (@EoinTennyson) July 24, 2024
People from across our community are getting behind Armagh ahead of Sunday’s final, and spirits will not be dampened by pathetic thugs. pic.twitter.com/Ud6tYbAYNr