Cork fans have been criticised for ignoring pleas not to fly the Confederate flag at Croke Park in the aftermath of a death at a white supremacist rally in America, writes Stephen Barry.

The flag was widely used at the Charlottesville ‘Unite the Right’ rally of far-right groups, where one protestor deliberately drove a car into a crowd of counterprotestors, killing one and injuring 19, including five critically.

Hell of a day for the President to forget how to tweet. pic.twitter.com/ABffmwwH8D

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 12, 2017

Its use dates from the American Civil War as the symbol of the pro-slavery Confederate states and the rally was organised to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from the Virginia city.

The longstanding use of the Confederate flag by the Rebel County’s fans has been previously criticised, with Ken McCue of Sport Against Racism labelling it a “flag of hatred” and calling on the Cork County Board to condemn its use in 2015.

However, the flag appeared among a group of Cork fans on Hill 16 yesterday, sparking a fresh wave of criticism of those who persist in using it.

Of course some brain dead Cork moron brought a confederate flag pic.twitter.com/IgOrjIXMa1

— Richard Looby (@RichardLooby) August 13, 2017

Scum @OfficialCorkGAA fans flying #ConfederateFlag after #Charlottesville terror attack. Hope they lose. Déise for a day #CorkGAA #CORKvWAT

— Sam Boland (@samrboland) August 13, 2017

A large no' of Cork fans flying Confederate flags here at Croke Park, seemingly in solidarity with #Charolettesville nazis #CORKvWAT #shame

— Gary Donkerty (@Gary_Donkerty) August 13, 2017

I just WISH cork people would stop using the confederate flag as a cork flag. It's just not ok, like. #CORKGAA2017 #GAA #CORKvWAT

— Stefanie Preissner (@StefPreissner) August 13, 2017

Cork fans flying confederate flag is bad enough at the best of times but given the week that's in it. Either brain ldead or Nazis #CORKvWAT

— DJ Walsh (@dj_breathnach) August 13, 2017

Where to even begin with the Cork fan flying the Confederate flag on the same pole as one with Che Guevara. #CORKvWAT

— Jenny Daly (@jennybdaly) August 13, 2017

My American friends would be baffled that Cork fans fly the Confederate flag, and be so ignorant of its meaning. #GAA #CORKvWAT

— Gavin Finlay (@gvnfnly) August 13, 2017

Cork supporters waving a Confederate flag. Glad Waterford are hammering the doses out the gate. #CORKvWAT

— the cute hoor (@HoorayForNiamh) August 13, 2017

Is it possible that #Cork fans fly the Confederate flag without truly knowing what it stands for? #CORKvWAT

— Bernie Quinn ❄ (@berniequinn) August 13, 2017

This debate's going on for well over 20 yrs. At this stage, they would have to be blind and deaf not to be aware of the dodgy connotations. https://t.co/YzG1aj6Rf6

— Jonathan O'Brien (@obrien_jonathan) August 13, 2017

Right-on crowd need to learn why Cork fans fly Confederate flag before tackling subject. Screaming "racist" at people not a winning strategy

— Ricky (@rickybutcher_) August 13, 2017

2/4 Wasn't on the Hill today but I'd guess those who flew them are of a similar age. Probably not racist or ignorant, just naive kids.

— Paul Dollery (@PaulDollery) August 13, 2017

4/4 And any Cork fan who carries the flag with a complete understanding of what it represents is an absolute langer.

— Paul Dollery (@PaulDollery) August 13, 2017