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We seem to be gone down a new road where concerts now have priority over our championships in availability of the playing grounds. Clare v Cork and the Munster semi football final will not be played in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. We have come along ways since Waterford were not allowed name a ground when Walsh Park was deemed unfit. Cork should not be allowed name a pitch and the advantage should go to Clare. It is also giving the middle finger to Cork supporters who contributed to putting the stadium there and now are told to travel to a game they should be enjoying at home.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2655 - 01/02/2022 14:31:11    2397726

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Replying To Canuck:  "We seem to be gone down a new road where concerts now have priority over our championships in availability of the playing grounds. Clare v Cork and the Munster semi football final will not be played in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. We have come along ways since Waterford were not allowed name a ground when Walsh Park was deemed unfit. Cork should not be allowed name a pitch and the advantage should go to Clare. It is also giving the middle finger to Cork supporters who contributed to putting the stadium there and now are told to travel to a game they should be enjoying at home."
Agree Canuck surely games should take priority over concerts etc.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11736 - 01/02/2022 14:59:21    2397740

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Replying To Canuck:  "We seem to be gone down a new road where concerts now have priority over our championships in availability of the playing grounds. Clare v Cork and the Munster semi football final will not be played in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. We have come along ways since Waterford were not allowed name a ground when Walsh Park was deemed unfit. Cork should not be allowed name a pitch and the advantage should go to Clare. It is also giving the middle finger to Cork supporters who contributed to putting the stadium there and now are told to travel to a game they should be enjoying at home."
The problem is Cork GAA who conpletely underbudgeted the cost of Pairc Ui Chaoimh... and here we are. That's the real scandal. If 100 concerts are needed to pay us all back so be it... the GAA can ill afford to bail out counties who go off and waste money on pet projects.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 844 - 01/02/2022 15:06:41    2397742

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Replying To Canuck:  "We seem to be gone down a new road where concerts now have priority over our championships in availability of the playing grounds. Clare v Cork and the Munster semi football final will not be played in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. We have come along ways since Waterford were not allowed name a ground when Walsh Park was deemed unfit. Cork should not be allowed name a pitch and the advantage should go to Clare. It is also giving the middle finger to Cork supporters who contributed to putting the stadium there and now are told to travel to a game they should be enjoying at home."
The marketing people have way too big a say these days, Grounds should be used for our own games ahead of any other alternative no matter what the "historic occasion" or commercial angle.

GAA survived long enough without all of that.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2525 - 01/02/2022 15:37:42    2397752

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Replying To Canuck:  "We seem to be gone down a new road where concerts now have priority over our championships in availability of the playing grounds. Clare v Cork and the Munster semi football final will not be played in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. We have come along ways since Waterford were not allowed name a ground when Walsh Park was deemed unfit. Cork should not be allowed name a pitch and the advantage should go to Clare. It is also giving the middle finger to Cork supporters who contributed to putting the stadium there and now are told to travel to a game they should be enjoying at home."
The primary function of Pairc Ui Chaoimh, or any other county ground, should be to hold Gaelic games.
I appreciate holding consorts are a big source of income, but they should be fitted in when no games , especially inter county, are due or likely to played.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2447 - 01/02/2022 15:46:24    2397753

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I knew that little tressing Limk handed out to Cork
in that game last year would set Cork back a lot, but they now seem to be throwing the baby out with the bath water altogether.

Fair play to the other Munster counties involved for agreeing to date and/or venue switches, to accommodate the concerts in PUC.

Whereas Pairc Ui Rinn will do fine for the Cork footballers (surface wise and as regards crowd capacity), it's hard to believe that they didn't try to at least keep all their hurling games in PUC. They just seem to have thrown in the towel so easily.

Btw, anyone know what performers are holding concerts there this summer?

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 1903 - 01/02/2022 15:49:48    2397754

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Replying To Square_B:  "The problem is Cork GAA who conpletely underbudgeted the cost of Pairc Ui Chaoimh... and here we are. That's the real scandal. If 100 concerts are needed to pay us all back so be it... the GAA can ill afford to bail out counties who go off and waste money on pet projects."
Are you suggesting we get out of our sports and go into the concerts entertainment business ? I know you are not and don't believe that "so be it" is how the GAA should be run. It belongs its millions of members who built it. It seems all the controversy over allowing other sports use facilities (who many are also GAA people) was pretty biased.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2655 - 01/02/2022 16:15:15    2397763

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Replying To Canuck:  "We seem to be gone down a new road where concerts now have priority over our championships in availability of the playing grounds. Clare v Cork and the Munster semi football final will not be played in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. We have come along ways since Waterford were not allowed name a ground when Walsh Park was deemed unfit. Cork should not be allowed name a pitch and the advantage should go to Clare. It is also giving the middle finger to Cork supporters who contributed to putting the stadium there and now are told to travel to a game they should be enjoying at home."
The gigs were announced in September and the fixtures announced in December. They surely looked at workarounds on dates for matches in Pairc Ui Chaoimh because the GAA compiled the fixture schedule? The GAA are getting a ball of money for these gigs. Some people are calling Pairc Ui Chaoimh redevelopment a white elephant a waste of money. But when gigs are announced that help to pay some of the GAAs many bills some people aren't happy.

Reminiscent of Penn State game in Croke Park in 2014. Planned well in advance. Mayo v Kerry replay then clashed with that date. Refixed for Limerick. The hindsighters complained, other events preventing our games being played in Croke Park rants. The venue change helped turn that Saturday night into a magic atmosphere and epic game by the way, we were second again! I think most county grounds are lucky to see crowds 9 or 10 days in a year? How can they pay for themselves by not having some sort of revenue from non-GAA activities in their great facilities? Some people love complaining and pointing out how they can do a better job than those in charge. I had to go Markievicz Park rather than McHale on Sunday because the pitch is being redeveloped. Game still went ahead, no gig in McHale Park though that's gonna pay for the pitch. Two more league home games for Carrick and Roscommon, not too many complaining about that knowing the reason for it. It's more than incovenient to have to change venues for games but tell us all how the GAA would look without revenue from these big concerts and other activities?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7337 - 01/02/2022 16:34:09    2397765

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Replying To Canuck:  "Are you suggesting we get out of our sports and go into the concerts entertainment business ? I know you are not and don't believe that "so be it" is how the GAA should be run. It belongs its millions of members who built it. It seems all the controversy over allowing other sports use facilities (who many are also GAA people) was pretty biased."
Pairc Ui Chaoimh doesn't benefit me as a member the GAA and never will. I'd love a 50k seater stadium in Carrick On-Shannon but am sensible enough to know it would be a white elephant. As I've said, if 100 concerts are needed to pay back the 10 million owed to the GAA so be it (and that's assuming that the GAA doesn't have to take over the other 21 million owed to the banks). The fans should direct their anger towards the administrators of Cork GAA... no one else. It's completely scandalous.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 844 - 01/02/2022 17:05:14    2397776

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "The gigs were announced in September and the fixtures announced in December. They surely looked at workarounds on dates for matches in Pairc Ui Chaoimh because the GAA compiled the fixture schedule? The GAA are getting a ball of money for these gigs. Some people are calling Pairc Ui Chaoimh redevelopment a white elephant a waste of money. But when gigs are announced that help to pay some of the GAAs many bills some people aren't happy.

Reminiscent of Penn State game in Croke Park in 2014. Planned well in advance. Mayo v Kerry replay then clashed with that date. Refixed for Limerick. The hindsighters complained, other events preventing our games being played in Croke Park rants. The venue change helped turn that Saturday night into a magic atmosphere and epic game by the way, we were second again! I think most county grounds are lucky to see crowds 9 or 10 days in a year? How can they pay for themselves by not having some sort of revenue from non-GAA activities in their great facilities? Some people love complaining and pointing out how they can do a better job than those in charge. I had to go Markievicz Park rather than McHale on Sunday because the pitch is being redeveloped. Game still went ahead, no gig in McHale Park though that's gonna pay for the pitch. Two more league home games for Carrick and Roscommon, not too many complaining about that knowing the reason for it. It's more than incovenient to have to change venues for games but tell us all how the GAA would look without revenue from these big concerts and other activities?"
How about some basic house keeping. Fixtures first and concert bookings second. As you say most grounds are used few times a year so it should be easy give these performers alternative dates and if that don't suit them someone else can book the spot. How did and would the GAA do if these concerts bookings were not there ? Cork above any other county have a population and more revenue streams that 30 other counties. Croke Park income from other events benefits all counties. Clare probable should get half the proceeds for agreeing to any change whether the change is good or bad for them. It is just a bad looking public image that game venues have to be change for the use of non GAA events. Money or no money.
Its not about complaining or second guessing the administrators but using our voice to hold their feet to the fire when needed. The same Munster council that are approving this brought the hammer down on Waterford playing in Nowlan Park for a genuine (or so called) reason not been able to play at home. We will not get concerts to upgrade our grounds and minimal money from central funds to do a half a--se job. The small number of clubs will have to dig deeper again.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2655 - 01/02/2022 17:14:48    2397779

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Its shameful but not surprising really.
What other sporting organisation would sanction this type of carry on. You'll go out and play a game the following weekend and they'll be too mean to have Hawkeye on.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1898 - 01/02/2022 17:15:39    2397780

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If I was a Cork supporter I'd be fuming about this.

bostonredsox (Wexford) - Posts: 4368 - 01/02/2022 17:32:29    2397784

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Stadia cost serious amounts of money when they are being developed and in this case redeveloped.
That is a fact. So hi6w would you repay the debt ?
Obviously in Corks case they have decided to use a concert... guaranteed that this will only make a small dent in the actual debt.
It's all very well to say fixtures come.before concerts and that should be true but occasionally the bands and stars are only available on certain dates too and if you want a full house then they need to be accommodated or increase the price.of the ticket for all games into the Pairc.
How would we feel about that... paying an extra tenner into their new stadium for example !
There would be murder initially I expect and then talks of a boycott... and then blame the county board....
I can see where Cork are coming from, but hey what do ye think the story is going to be with Walsh Park and Casemebt when it comes on stream ?
No doubt that more money making enterprises will have to be found to pay for them... and that is not mentioning Newbridge !

carlowman (Carlow) - Posts: 1820 - 01/02/2022 18:06:14    2397791

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Replying To foreveryoung:  "I knew that little tressing Limk handed out to Cork
in that game last year would set Cork back a lot, but they now seem to be throwing the baby out with the bath water altogether.

Fair play to the other Munster counties involved for agreeing to date and/or venue switches, to accommodate the concerts in PUC.

Whereas Pairc Ui Rinn will do fine for the Cork footballers (surface wise and as regards crowd capacity), it's hard to believe that they didn't try to at least keep all their hurling games in PUC. They just seem to have thrown in the towel so easily.

Btw, anyone know what performers are holding concerts there this summer?"
Ed Sheeran and Westlife are playing on PuC this summer.
think there could be some other acts playing as well. in PuC

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3499 - 01/02/2022 18:28:45    2397794

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It's bad allright. It looks terrible. Imagine Munster rugby changing a European Cup match because Thomond Park had Fast Eddie Sheeran ( obnoxious individual). Its a scandal
Has anyone in Munster noticed that there is only one Saturday game this year in the Hurling? What's the point in Limerick, Cork and Thurles having fantastic lights if they are never used. I stayed the wkend down in Cork a few years ago for the Limerick match. Fantastic..and the lights are plenty bright for hurling. So the only game of a Saturday evening is Limerick V Waterford.. a huge opportunity missed.

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts: 1710 - 01/02/2022 18:33:31    2397796

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "The marketing people have way too big a say these days, Grounds should be used for our own games ahead of any other alternative no matter what the "historic occasion" or commercial angle.

GAA survived long enough without all of that."
It isnt marketing people but stadium directors and stadium management. Stadiums need to be used far more than for matches alone which is why any stadiums built now will have boxes, premium levels which can be opened on non match days for meetings and conferences as matches alone are not enough income to keep stadiums running.

GAA may have survived long enough without that but its not practical or feasible for it to go without that income

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3499 - 01/02/2022 19:01:47    2397807

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Replying To Canuck:  "We seem to be gone down a new road where concerts now have priority over our championships in availability of the playing grounds. Clare v Cork and the Munster semi football final will not be played in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. We have come along ways since Waterford were not allowed name a ground when Walsh Park was deemed unfit. Cork should not be allowed name a pitch and the advantage should go to Clare. It is also giving the middle finger to Cork supporters who contributed to putting the stadium there and now are told to travel to a game they should be enjoying at home."
Stadiums, and the organisations who run them, these days cant afford to turn down the large income they will get from concerts or conferences and this year even more so considering covid and less income for past 2 years.

It isnt giving anyone the finger.

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3499 - 01/02/2022 19:07:10    2397809

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "The marketing people have way too big a say these days, Grounds should be used for our own games ahead of any other alternative no matter what the "historic occasion" or commercial angle.

GAA survived long enough without all of that."
Its nothing to do with marketing people but corks main gaa people who are directors of the stadium

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3499 - 01/02/2022 19:08:01    2397810

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Replying To Canuck:  "How about some basic house keeping. Fixtures first and concert bookings second. As you say most grounds are used few times a year so it should be easy give these performers alternative dates and if that don't suit them someone else can book the spot. How did and would the GAA do if these concerts bookings were not there ? Cork above any other county have a population and more revenue streams that 30 other counties. Croke Park income from other events benefits all counties. Clare probable should get half the proceeds for agreeing to any change whether the change is good or bad for them. It is just a bad looking public image that game venues have to be change for the use of non GAA events. Money or no money.
Its not about complaining or second guessing the administrators but using our voice to hold their feet to the fire when needed. The same Munster council that are approving this brought the hammer down on Waterford playing in Nowlan Park for a genuine (or so called) reason not been able to play at home. We will not get concerts to upgrade our grounds and minimal money from central funds to do a half a--se job. The small number of clubs will have to dig deeper again."
The artists are working off a global schedule as on a european tour or world tour and they wont come again if not giving the dates theyre available for.

Stadiums cant rely or focus on games alone. theyre expensive to run and need the concert/extra income from them
Its not a bad public image at all that events are being held in the stadium.
try other countries and other stadiums and theyre used for multiple events throughout seasons all the time and it isnt really an issue.

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3499 - 01/02/2022 19:13:50    2397811

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Since its been built how many times has PUC been full to capacity? I don't think any game I've seen there has even been half full tbh.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1699 - 01/02/2022 19:25:54    2397812

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