'First of its nature' Irish League 'fan walk' given green light by Parades Commission ahead of Irish Cup semi-final
The Parades Commission has given the green light to a “fan walk” organised by Cliftonville supporters ahead of their Irish Cup semi-final showdown with Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park on Friday evening – describing it as “the first of its nature”.
Cliftonville are preparing for a third consecutive Irish Cup last-four meeting with a repeat of last season’s decider taking place at the Belfast venue – the match will kick-off at 7:45pm.
Organised by ‘Cliftonville FC Supporters & Red Fanatics’, around 150 Reds fans will meet at Broadway/Falls Road Junction before passing the bottom of Broadway, across the Westlink junction, Glenmachan Street, Boucher Road, Windsor Way and onto Windsor Park.
In a determination document posted on their website, the Parades Commission has identified “sensitivities associated with the parade proceeding on part of the notified route in South Belfast due to the fact that the parade will pass the sensitive interface at the Broadway Roundabout and The Village area”.
They also highlighted previous examples of fan disorder, including at last season’s Irish Cup final when “eight police officers were injured and there was damage to property”.
Conditions have been imposed on Friday’s gathering, such as organisers "ensuring the parade does not at any time deviate from any part of its notified route” and that there “shall be no undue stoppages or delays”.
The Parades Commission also stated: “When the parade is in progress, participants shall not engage in any behaviour or display any items (including, but not limited to placards, banners or items of clothing) which could, in the prevailing context, reasonably be perceived as being provocative, threatening, insulting or abusive to any person or group.”
Fans of international teams often march through Belfast to Windsor Park ahead of matches against Northern Ireland – around 1,000 Germany supporters made their way from Bradbury Place to the National Stadium in October.
Friday’s fixture is the first of two semi-finals being staged at Windsor Park this weekend – Larne will face Coleraine at 3pm on Saturday.