Using GAA grounds for none GAA games

[JoeH]

Given the ongoing bandwagon media hyping about pairc ui chaoimh where they are looking for the GAA to allow a soccer fundraiser to be played there.

The rules of our association are clear - its not allowed.
My opinion is that's the way it should stay.

Yes concerts are permitted - however that doesnt conflict with our own games.
Yes Croke Park.opened.up to rugby previously but that was in the national.interest.
Thoughts?

 

[Ard Mhacha 13]

It is a charity match to raise money for Liam Miller's family & the hospice he was in prior to his passing, to not allow the match to be played in Pairc ui Chaoimh shows how petty the GAA remains. If there was money in it for them they'd be more than happy to throw the doors open. Times have changed, move with them.

Also I think you'll find that sometimes concerts have conflicted with our games in that Croke Park has been unavailable

 

[PatMustard]

Gaa might look at it and think if they agreed, it would open the floodgates.

But it was a good cause. And a big percentage of gaa fans follow the soccer too. Plus it would've showcased the new PUC to a big audience.

I'm sure Liam could've been honoured better in his native county.

 

[Big Jim]

I find myself flip flopping on things like this usually depending on who I'm talking to. The sensible part of me says that we funded and built these stadiums so why should be be forced to let others use them?

The other part of me says, well why not?

This particular case is a brilliant cause, but then so is every charity case. There really is no bad charity - just bad charitable organisations. So if it's yes to this, then why no to something else. Bit like the daily collections for charities. I understand what they do and why they do the collections, but sadly if we were to give to every single one, then the giving would never stop and we'd need charitable donations to survive.

I know I'll take flak for this, but if it wasn't for the concerts in HQ we'd all have to pay much more for admission, just so Dublin could receive the same funding they do at the minute.....please don't shoot me!!!!!!!!

 

[PatMustard]

Where's me water pistol?

I see both sides of it. But the GAA used Ravenhill for Anto's match because the hay was been baled that day in Casement. It wouldn't be an everyday occurrence but I don't see harm in a one-off charity match thing.

Plus Croke Park and others are used for the Pope, Special Olympics, and numerous concerts so why not avail of the extra cash/publicity?

 

[Suil eile.]

Where's me water pistol?

I see both sides of it. But the GAA used Ravenhill for Anto's match because the hay was been baled that day in Casement. It wouldn't be an everyday occurrence but I don't see harm in a one-off charity match thing.

Plus Croke Park and others are used for the Pope, Special Olympics, and numerous concerts so why not avail of the extra cash/publicity?

I agree P.U.C should be opened for the Liam Miller game , he is a former player/member of our association. I haven't seen any comment yet from the president or A.S , hopefully they are working behind the scenes to resolve it .The biggest gift that any of us or our association possess is our generosity and this in my opinion is a time to demonstrate it, actions will always speak louder than words.

 

[JoeH]

I note that Joe Brolly is weighing in but with incorrect information

Joe has tweeted::
Rule 5.1 (a) allows GAA pitches to be used for "purposes not in conflict with the aims and objects of the association.." So, the Liam Miller game could easily be sanctioned. In any event, the penalty for a breach is discretionary R5.1(b) so a blind eye should be turned.


What Joe didnt include is the entire rule:
Rule 5.1(a)
All property including Grounds, Club Houses, Halls, Dressing Rooms and Handball Alleys owned or controlled by units of the Association shall be used only for the purpose of or in connection with the playing of the Games controlled by the Association, and for such other purposes not in conflict with the Aims and Objects of the Association, that may be sanctioned from time to time by the Central Council.
(b) Grounds controlled by Association units shall not be used or permitted to be used, for Horse Racing, Greyhound Racing, or for Field Games others than those sanctioned by Central Council.


The aims and objectives are covered as thus:
Rule 1.2 basic Aim The Association is a National Organisation which has as its basic aim the strengthening of the National Identity in a 32 County Ireland through the preservation and promotion of Gaelic Games and pastimes.

Rule 1.3 national games The Association shall promote and control the National games of Hurling, Gaelic Football, Handball and Rounders, and such other games, as may be sanctioned and approved by Annual Congress.
1.4 Additional Aims
(a) The Association shall actively support the Irish language, traditional Irish dancing, music, song, and other aspects of Irish culture. It shall foster an awareness and love of the national ideals in the people of Ireland, and assist in promoting a community spirit through its clubs.
(b) The Association shall promote its aims amongst communities abroad through its International Units.
(c) The Association shall support the promotion of Camogie and Ladies Gaelic Football.
(d) The Association shall use all practical endeavours to support Irish Industry especially in relation to the provision of trophies and playing gear and equipment.
1.5 dedication The Association and its resources shall be used for and dedicated solely to the above aims.


Therefore the association cannot permit other games to be played in GAA grounds other than those approved by Congress

 

[JoeH]

So basically every "charity" event that doesn't get into.a GAA ground that is then picked up by social media who hound the GAA will be allowed into GAA grounds.

Weak leadership by.the top brass in.croke park.

 

[Ard Mhacha 13]

So basically every "charity" event that doesn't get into.a GAA ground that is then picked up by social media who hound the GAA will be allowed into GAA grounds.

Weak leadership by.the top brass in.croke park.

Or as others see it, correct decision finally reached.

 

[PatMustard]

So basically every "charity" event that doesn't get into.a GAA ground that is then picked up by social media who hound the GAA will be allowed into GAA grounds.

Weak leadership by.the top brass in.croke park.

Firstly, the event organisers should have spoke to the Cork GAA to discuss the possibility of using PUC. The GAA were put in a bad situation by how it all happened. Damned if they do etc...

It could have done big damage to the GAA in Cork and affected relationships between the GAA and other bodies/supporters for years, had they refused the use of PUC.

The right decision was made in the end. Although it kind of looks like "sure they only agreed because they were shamed into it" kinda thing.

The GAA have overturned controversial issues in the past. Perhaps this is one they should look at too.

 

[Big Jim]

It's good to see that the game will go ahead as planned, but I have doubts after listening to one of the organisers giving a radio interview yesterday where he openly said they knew if they organised the event the GAA would have to allow it because of negative publicity that would come their way because of social media support. Poor form if you have to put someones arm up their back. When asked why they didn't approach the GAA first, he simply said "we didn't have to because it should not be stopped and always should have been allowed." That doesn't sit well with me as I'd be a big supporter of charitable events. However and I know I'll be in a minority here, the game isn't for charity as such in that it's a fund raiser for the players family with a donation to charity. Secondly a bus can be travelling along a road and someone may be walking the same road in the rain. That bus doesn't "have" to stop and collect the walker as they've no given right to be on it, even if they are on crutches. Rights are earned or given, not expected. It has left me with a negative attitude towards the organisers and even if I was able to attend, I wouldn't.

That all said I hope both sides come out of it well and the objective is achieved. Life is too short to worry about right and wrong in every case.

 

[PatMustard]

On another note, I just happened to hear Damien Duff's "dinosaur" interview.

Even if he's never watched a GAA match in his life, he's fully aware of this rule. It's old news. Absolutely no need to attack the association the way he did.

He'd fit in well in the DUP.

 

[green flag]

Shòuld the centraĺ council of the G.A.A. granted the use of the park in Cork for a soccer match? The answer is No. The òfficial guide of the association clearly states which games cannot take place on their grounds, to change any of the rules their is a procedure to be followed by submitting a motion to congress. For the central council to start bending the rules is in my opinion very dangerous.

 

[JoeH]

Shòuld the centraĺ council of the G.A.A. granted the use of the park in Cork for a soccer match? The answer is No. The òfficial guide of the association clearly states which games cannot take place on their grounds, to change any of the rules their is a procedure to be followed by submitting a motion to congress. For the central council to start bending the rules is in my opinion very dangerous.

Its more than dangerous - its a new direction for the GAA that should not be taken

 

[Ard Mhacha 13]

Shòuld the centraĺ council of the G.A.A. granted the use of the park in Cork for a soccer match? The answer is No. The òfficial guide of the association clearly states which games cannot take place on their grounds, to change any of the rules their is a procedure to be followed by submitting a motion to congress. For the central council to start bending the rules is in my opinion very dangerous.

Dangerous is a very strong word to use in this context!!! Surely the precedent was already set when Croke Park was opened up for the rugby & soccer while the Aviva Stadium was being upgraded. Not forgetting American football was also played there & even boxing back in the day. It's not as though they haven't allowed their grounds to be used before, the GAA didn't fall apart after this occurred I doubt it will crumble now.

 

[PatMustard]

I think it shows how far behind soccer and their stadia are behind the GAA in Ireland. 45,000 v 7,000 in Cork City. No contest. The GAA have nothing to fear from opening up PUC.

The soccer crowd come out of this poorly when they don't have a stadium bigger than 7,000 to hold this.

The likes of Damien Duff should take his frustration out on the FAI to get their finger out and build a few bigger stadia, rather than attacking the GAA on their own rules.

 

[JoeH]

Dangerous is a very strong word to use in this context!!! Surely the precedent was already set when Croke Park was opened up for the rugby & soccer while the Aviva Stadium was being upgraded. Not forgetting American football was also played there & even boxing back in the day. It's not as though they haven't allowed their grounds to be used before, the GAA didn't fall apart after this occurred I doubt it will crumble now.

The difference is that rules were changed in relation to croke park, its specifically stated within the rule
No other stadium is named - my issue is not whats happening (although I am against it being opened) its how the top brass in GAA hq were able to interpret/change/ignore, whatever way you wish to describe it, rules and allow the media to force this to happen