By Conor Sharkey

THE final whistle may have blown at Croke Park, but the war of the words between unionists and GAA fans appeared far from over earlier this week.

Last week's reports that the Mid-Ulster Young Unionists had lodged a complaint over the dressing of the Tinnies in Tyrone colours with the local Council prompted uproar across Strabane.

But the rumblings of discontent continued this week with Ulster Unionist Derek Hussey criticising what he described as a number of "disgraceful incidents" following Tyrone's All-Ireland final victory.

According to the former MLA, the PSNI refused to react to several incidents including, "an impromptu, possibly illegal parade" along Castlederg's Main Street and "loutish intimidation" following Sunday's final whistle.

"Many of these incidents happened within the direct view of police officers on duty at the time and it is extremely disappointing that, despite requests, including a 999 call, from those being abused, there appeared to be no response from police on the ground to what was clearly happening at some locations," he said.

He said it is an issue that he trusts local DPP representatives will take up at their next meeting.

Mr Hussey's claims come despite police reports that, while they were investigating a number of incidents, celebrations across the District passed off with only "a few minor disturbances, which were dealt with quickly and without fuss".

The PSNI spokesperson also strongly refuted that they ignored reports from members of the public.

Derg Sinn Fein councillor Charlie McHugh said Mr Hussey's complaints had been greeted with 'a pinch of salt' by nationalists in light of comments made in recent weeks.

"If the incidents that Derek Hussey refers to in his statement took place then no-one would defend them and I would have no hesitation in condemning them and they should be reported.

"However, councillor Hussey's claims have been met with a large degree of scepticism within the local nationalist community given the lack of independent verification and given the fact that even the PSNI have not reported the incidents he has alluded to.

"This scepticism has also further increased due to councillor Hussey and his UUP party colleague Ryan Moses attempts, in recent weeks, to falsely portray some of the physical manifestations of support for Tyrone as being somehow political rather than sporting and cultural.

"Perhaps the most telling aspect of Councillor Hussey's statement is his description of the spontaneous post match celebrations as 'an impromtu possibly illegal parade' up and down the town's Main Street.

"Castlederg town centre is a shared space but nationalists will conclude from these sentiments expressed by Councillor Hussey that the town centre should be out of bounds for the expression of form any Irish culture and should remain solely the preserve of those who wish to express their British and unionist identity whether that be marking out territory with flags or through holding numerous band parades throughout the year," Mr McHugh added.