Liam Miller fundraiser may go ahead at Pairc Ui Chaoimh as GAA reportedly reverses stance

A fundraising game in aid of the family of the late Liam Miller may take place at Páirc Uí Chaoimh after all after Cork GAA reportedly changed their stance.

The news that the fundraiser would now take place at the largest sporting venue in Miller's home city was confirmed by John McHale, sports editor of the Cork Evening Echo.

He tweeted: “The Liam Miller fundraiser will now take place in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Well done to all for making it happen.”

The game, which will see an Ireland/Celtic XI take on a Manchester United XI, had originally been scheduled for Turner's Cross but all 7,000 tickets sold out within minutes.

National management team Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane have endorsed the event while former teammates Damien Duff, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs will also be involved.

This led to calls for the game to be held at the 45,000-capacity GAA stadium in the city in order to accommodate demand, but GAA officials maintained its hands were tied by the controversial rule 42.

A statement released by the GAA read: “"The GAA is prohibited in rule from hosting games other than those under the control of the Association in its stadia and grounds," it said in a statement.

"The Cork County Committee and Central Council have no discretion in this matter.

"Only a change at Annual Congress can alter this situation. Congress takes place in February each year.

"The GAA has sought legal advice around funding received towards the redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh and believes it is compliant with the terms and conditions laid down in September 2016.”



Rule 42 maintains that “Grounds controlled by Association units shall not be used or permitted to be used, for horse racing, greyhound racing, or for field games other than those sanctioned by Central Council.”

Exceptions have been made in the past, most notably for the Irish football and rugby teams while Lansdowne Road was being renovated from 2007 to 2010, when the following sentence was added:

“Central Council shall have the power to authorise the use of Croke Park for games, other than those controlled by the Association, during a temporary period when Lansdowne Road Football Ground is closed for the proposed development.”

It's unclear on what grounds the change in circumstances falls under but is welcome news for all involved in Cork and Irish sport.