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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Lauren Harte

Jamie Bryson takes up Sean Murray's offer of charity boxing bout after Twitter spat

Jamie Bryson has accept a challenge from West Belfast film-maker Sean Murray to a showdown - in the boxing ring.

It comes after a bitter Twitter exchange between the pair on Wednesday morning, sparked by Mr Bryson tweeting his objection to a GAA pitch being “imposed” on residents living in the Victoria Park area of East Belfast.

It eventually led to an invitation for the two public figures from either side of Northern Ireland’s political divide to a charity boxing bout.

Read more: Work to install GAA pitch at Victoria Park in East Belfast "halted" pending further discussions

Read more: MLA says Stormont ministers 'squandered' public money on court dispute over Belfast bonfire

Bryson tweeted: “Significant rumours that Victoria Park in East Belfast is to used to have a GAA pitch to be imposed upon the community. This is an outrageous proposal & entirely unwelcome. The vast majority of the local community do not want the toxic GAA imposed within unionist areas.”

Mr Murray branded those concerns “sectarian” and called on the media to help “stamp this poison out for good”.

Mr Murray, the filmmaker son of a senior Sinn Féin figure then challenged Mr Bryson to a boxing match and pledged to donate his winnings to the GAA if he won.

"Charity boxing match? Money goes to the GAA if I win and the money goes to whatever circus you see fit? You can’t knock that Jamie," he tweeted.

In response, Mr Bryson tweeted: “Very happy for this to go ahead as I immediately made clear. Happy for it to be in West Belfast & all money can go to a mutually agreeable charity

Mr Bryson added: “I’m up for that. Neutral venue. Put a proposal together & email me it.”

He went on to say: “Now for the last time Sean, email me your proposal for the boxing match *you* proposed. It will be accepted”.

Belfast City Council has confirmed that work to transform a disused playing field in East Belfast has been halted pending further discussions on its proposed use.

It is understood that local GAA clubs were keen on availing of the site at Victoria Park near George Best Belfast City Airport.

Initial work had already commenced on transforming the main playing field and pictures obtained by Belfast Live show the venue has been marked and lined for Gaelic Games.

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