Irish leaders show solidarity at sold-out Dalymount Park fixture with proceeds going to humanitarian causes

In a show of solidarity with Palestine, Irish President Michael D Higgins and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald attended a historic football match featuring the Palestinian women’s team at Dalymount Park in Dublin.

This marked the Palestinian team’s first-ever game in Europe, where they faced Bohemians FC in front of a packed stadium. The match, which had sold out several days in advance, drew a crowd of thousands, demonstrating the widespread support for the Palestinian cause.

The event was hosted by Bohemians FC, who invited the Palestinian women’s team to play as a gesture of solidarity and to raise funds for humanitarian efforts in Palestine. A Palestinian flag was placed on every seat at the stadium, and before the game began, a mural of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old girl tragically killed in Gaza, was revealed outside the ground.

For those unable to attend in person, the match was available for streaming, and fans were encouraged to buy non-attendance tickets or make online donations. All proceeds from the match are being directed to humanitarian organisations, including Palestine Sport for Life and Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Ahead of the game, President Higgins welcomed a Palestinian team delegation to Áras an Uachtaráin, while the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daithí de Róiste, hosted the delegation at the Mansion House. The event underscored Dublin’s ongoing support for Palestinian people, with both Irish leaders emphasising the importance of international solidarity.