17 July 1997 Edition

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Tyrone Volunteers commemorated

Speaking at the graveside of hunger striker Martin Hurson Sinn Fein's Francie Molloy called on the hundreds of republicans attending the Tyrone Volunteers commemoration day on Sunday 13 July to play a more active part in the struggle and show leadership ``in these crucial days ahead''.

He also praised the sacrifice of all those who died in the struggle. He especially praised the Volunteers of Oglaigh na hEireann whose commitment was marked by the sacrifice of so many young men and women in the past quarter of a century.

Tyrone National Graves Association chairperson Brian Cawley chaired Sunday's ceremony. Finola Campbell read out a statement from the Tyrone POWs in which they commended the leadership and expressed support for the present strategy being followed by the movement.

In concluding his oration Francie Molloy reflected on the past week, since the invasion of the Garvaghy Road, and said that it was clear that nationalists had not been prepared to let the same happen on the Ormeau Road or in Derry at the weekend.

``It was the nationalist response to Garvaghy Road, and their mass mobilisation, that stopped the Orange marches at the weekend,'' Molloy said.

Sunday's commemoration march to the cemetery at Galbally followed a day which saw the final of the tournament played for the Martin Hurson memorial trophy. Carrickmore won the women's competition beating host club Galbally. In the men's final Masterskreen had the upper hand over the Boyle's team from Cappagh. Brendan Hurson, brother of Martin, presented the trophies to the winners.

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