National Forum

Páirc Uí Chaoimh

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To Pikeman96:  "Nah, point remains that the main part of the controversy isn't over adding "SuperValu" to the name of the stadium, but is instead about the proposed removal of "Uí Chaoimh".

Would be like if your ground was just called "Avant Money Park" rather than "Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada".

Cork people are attached to the Uí Chaoimh name and want to keep it, in the same way Leitrim people would surely want to keep the Seán Mac Diarmada names for yours.

However, I can't help thinking there's a bit of an irony in all this too -

If a new county ground was being built today and the proposal was to name it in memory of a paid administrator of the GAA rather than some great player of the past or some other local personality, there'd probably be uproar.

An example I can think of here in Wexford is Martin O'Neill - he was Secretary of the Leinster Council for more than 40 years between 1920s and 1960s, and other claims to fame are that he refereed the All-Ireland Football Final in New York in 1947.

I'd say if Wexford County Board announced plans for a new county ground to be called "Martin O'Neill Park", people would be giving out, and saying it should be called after Nickey Rackard or somebody similar instead."
All this hullabaloo about Pairc Ui Caoibh's naming rights will fizzle out as soon as a decision is made one way or the other, The first naming rights deal for a county ground happened over 20 years ago since then more than half of the 32 counties have done the same so why can't Cork do the same thing, it's not as if they are committing a criminal offence or an act of sabotage.

The Cork county board went into discussions with Super Value in good faith, the soundings from sections of some Cork supporters / people suggested they were not happy so the talks were paused, what's wrong with that, in this case guilty of intent is not a crime.

The Cork county board in it's wisdom will bring this issue to a swift conclusion isn't that what normally happens.

By todays standards I can only imagine that to run a county and it's clubs must be a huge and massive financial burden on all county boards big and small strong and etc, etc, etc.

In the meantime I wish them all well.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3060 - 18/01/2024 21:48:19    2520883

Link

The GAA was founded by people who were determined to preserve what remained of our sports tradition.

Had they not been as "narrow minded " as some here would depict it, Gaelic games would be dead. Same with language and Conradh.

They will die when people scorn those traditions.

Ignorance will achieve what armies and genocide failed to.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3148 - 18/01/2024 22:03:05    2520885

Link

Replying To BarneyGrant:  "The GAA was founded by people who were determined to preserve what remained of our sports tradition.

Had they not been as "narrow minded " as some here would depict it, Gaelic games would be dead. Same with language and Conradh.

They will die when people scorn those traditions.

Ignorance will achieve what armies and genocide failed to."
In an ideal world all traditions would stay but renaming a stadium does not tear away the GAA traditions. Of more concern would be the semi professional road that inter county and indeed top club teams now seem to be on or there already. The merry go round manager and coaching circuit that we see in all counties where the brown envelopes are secretly pushed around, too many chancers in the game now.

The game is becoming less attractive for the vast majority players and spectators. Grand if you're winning All Irelands or at least competing for top honours but as I see it the enjoyment is going fast.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11416 - 18/01/2024 22:37:09    2520889

Link

Replying To BarneyGrant:  "The GAA was founded by people who were determined to preserve what remained of our sports tradition.

Had they not been as "narrow minded " as some here would depict it, Gaelic games would be dead. Same with language and Conradh.

They will die when people scorn those traditions.

Ignorance will achieve what armies and genocide failed to."
So if Páirc Uí Chaoimh adds a sponsors name they won't be able to play Gaelic games there?

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1966 - 18/01/2024 23:13:58    2520895

Link

Replying To BarneyGrant:  "The GAA was founded by people who were determined to preserve what remained of our sports tradition.

Had they not been as "narrow minded " as some here would depict it, Gaelic games would be dead. Same with language and Conradh.

They will die when people scorn those traditions.

Ignorance will achieve what armies and genocide failed to."
The naming of / renaming of a stadium hardly has any grear effect on the sporting tradition you're talking about. And let's be perfectly truthful about the names of some GAA clubs and so forth... the forefathers of the GAA I doubt would be impressed about celebrating terrorists and the like. There will come a time where a line in the sand may need to be drawn and if that day comes, we'll all have to face it. Our friends in the IRFU have worn this path long before us and they're getting on just fine. Not in anyway suggesting that I am in favour of professionalism but the GAA operates in a competitive environment and whether you like it or not, it has to be funded.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1030 - 19/01/2024 11:29:06    2520935

Link

Replying To Square_B:  "The naming of / renaming of a stadium hardly has any grear effect on the sporting tradition you're talking about. And let's be perfectly truthful about the names of some GAA clubs and so forth... the forefathers of the GAA I doubt would be impressed about celebrating terrorists and the like. There will come a time where a line in the sand may need to be drawn and if that day comes, we'll all have to face it. Our friends in the IRFU have worn this path long before us and they're getting on just fine. Not in anyway suggesting that I am in favour of professionalism but the GAA operates in a competitive environment and whether you like it or not, it has to be funded."
I don't think renaming would be half as controversial if there wasn't a move to drop the Uí Chaoimh part and replace it with the sponsor instead of just adding the sponsors name to the existing name. Grounds usually were named with some meaning whether that was a person or reference to the locality. When you completely erase the person or placename element with a sponsor you are essentially saying history or sense of place doesn't matter anymore, the only thing that is important is money. And maybe that is just the sad and true reflection of society at the moment. The thirst for wealth and the focus on money making above all else is eroding community and important elements of our culture.

MachaireConnacht (Roscommon) - Posts: 999 - 19/01/2024 11:50:21    2520937

Link

Replying To Square_B:  "The naming of / renaming of a stadium hardly has any grear effect on the sporting tradition you're talking about. And let's be perfectly truthful about the names of some GAA clubs and so forth... the forefathers of the GAA I doubt would be impressed about celebrating terrorists and the like. There will come a time where a line in the sand may need to be drawn and if that day comes, we'll all have to face it. Our friends in the IRFU have worn this path long before us and they're getting on just fine. Not in anyway suggesting that I am in favour of professionalism but the GAA operates in a competitive environment and whether you like it or not, it has to be funded."
Some of the forefathers of the GAA were "terrorists" as you call them.

Ever hear of the IRB? The man who the old Nally stand was named for?

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3148 - 19/01/2024 12:29:08    2520945

Link

Replying To MachaireConnacht:  "I don't think renaming would be half as controversial if there wasn't a move to drop the Uí Chaoimh part and replace it with the sponsor instead of just adding the sponsors name to the existing name. Grounds usually were named with some meaning whether that was a person or reference to the locality. When you completely erase the person or placename element with a sponsor you are essentially saying history or sense of place doesn't matter anymore, the only thing that is important is money. And maybe that is just the sad and true reflection of society at the moment. The thirst for wealth and the focus on money making above all else is eroding community and important elements of our culture."
Presumably more €€€s if a ground only has sponsors name e g Aviva.
I see the Galway rugger ground is now officially Dexcom Park.

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1966 - 19/01/2024 12:45:45    2520947

Link

Replying To Square_B:  "The naming of / renaming of a stadium hardly has any grear effect on the sporting tradition you're talking about. And let's be perfectly truthful about the names of some GAA clubs and so forth... the forefathers of the GAA I doubt would be impressed about celebrating terrorists and the like. There will come a time where a line in the sand may need to be drawn and if that day comes, we'll all have to face it. Our friends in the IRFU have worn this path long before us and they're getting on just fine. Not in anyway suggesting that I am in favour of professionalism but the GAA operates in a competitive environment and whether you like it or not, it has to be funded."
That terrorist remark sums up your view nicely. How did a fella like you end up in Connaught of all places

Doylerwex (Wexford) - Posts: 3158 - 19/01/2024 13:14:09    2520953

Link

Replying To Square_B:  "The naming of / renaming of a stadium hardly has any grear effect on the sporting tradition you're talking about. And let's be perfectly truthful about the names of some GAA clubs and so forth... the forefathers of the GAA I doubt would be impressed about celebrating terrorists and the like. There will come a time where a line in the sand may need to be drawn and if that day comes, we'll all have to face it. Our friends in the IRFU have worn this path long before us and they're getting on just fine. Not in anyway suggesting that I am in favour of professionalism but the GAA operates in a competitive environment and whether you like it or not, it has to be funded."
Surely you're not calling Sean Mac Diarmada , a great Leitrim patriot a terrorist are you?.

tireoghainabu (Tyrone) - Posts: 338 - 19/01/2024 13:29:44    2520954

Link

Replying To Doylerwex:  "That terrorist remark sums up your view nicely. How did a fella like you end up in Connaught of all places"
Sadly, that's the beauty of anonymity.

Sorry for the intrusion.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3060 - 19/01/2024 13:50:14    2520960

Link

Replying To Seanfanbocht:  "Presumably more €€€s if a ground only has sponsors name e g Aviva.
I see the Galway rugger ground is now officially Dexcom Park."
Absolutely, and therefore the erasure of heritage can proceed if you are prepared to offer big bucks.

I personally would not like the Hyde to become Tesco Park no matter what money was involved.

MachaireConnacht (Roscommon) - Posts: 999 - 19/01/2024 14:09:54    2520963

Link

Replying To Seanfanbocht:  "Presumably more €€€s if a ground only has sponsors name e g Aviva.
I see the Galway rugger ground is now officially Dexcom Park."
I think renaming issues tend to be more emotive when there is an iconic or unique name. It was easy enough to adapt from Lansdowne road to the Aviva. Even the Sportground doesnt attract the same nostalgia. Pearse Stadium has a bit
more of an aura about it , but even at that , since its not seen as the Mecca for either football or hurling supporters in Galway , I dont think it would be too drastic to sell/lease naming rights. Cork is slightly different as its seen as the real spiritual home of Cork football and hurling and I can understand at least some of the emotion.
I dont think that even in Cork there are too many people who would be prepared to pay ten euro extra per game for the pleasure of retaining the official name.
I recall there being uproar in San Francisco a few decades ago when the iconic "Candlestick Park" was renamed 3COM Park". Years later when the deal expired , it didnt even return to the iconic name and instead was referred to as "San Francisco Stadium at Candlestick Point" .
As Billy Shakespeare said " a rose by another name..."

anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 955 - 19/01/2024 14:19:12    2520965

Link

Replying To Doylerwex:  "That terrorist remark sums up your view nicely. How did a fella like you end up in Connaught of all places"
Oh please. Give me a break. Let me tell you, if there's ever going to be unification in this country, the GAA will have have to deal with these issues whether you like it or not. But hey ho you keep sticking your head in the sand along with the ostriches.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1030 - 19/01/2024 14:30:29    2520970

Link

Replying To BarneyGrant:  "Some of the forefathers of the GAA were "terrorists" as you call them.

Ever hear of the IRB? The man who the old Nally stand was named for?"
Oh please. The IRB were fighting for Irish unity... not bombing places to smithereens.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1030 - 19/01/2024 14:32:10    2520971

Link

Replying To tireoghainabu:  "Surely you're not calling Sean Mac Diarmada , a great Leitrim patriot a terrorist are you?."
You're right I wouldn't. Clearly the forefathers of this county werent looking to blow up the country into smithereens. I know your agenda and I'll never agree with it so jog on now like a good lad.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1030 - 19/01/2024 14:36:08    2520972

Link

Replying To Square_B:  "Oh please. The IRB were fighting for Irish unity... not bombing places to smithereens."
They were not fighting for "Irish unity." The country was united under the British.

They were fighting for Irish freedom and independence. Different thing entirely.

The IRB blew quite a lot of things to smithereens as it happened.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3148 - 19/01/2024 14:55:53    2520974

Link

Replying To MachaireConnacht:  "Absolutely, and therefore the erasure of heritage can proceed if you are prepared to offer big bucks.

I personally would not like the Hyde to become Tesco Park no matter what money was involved."
Exactly. Same for me with Parnell Park.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3148 - 19/01/2024 14:57:38    2520975

Link

Replying To Square_B:  "The naming of / renaming of a stadium hardly has any grear effect on the sporting tradition you're talking about. And let's be perfectly truthful about the names of some GAA clubs and so forth... the forefathers of the GAA I doubt would be impressed about celebrating terrorists and the like. There will come a time where a line in the sand may need to be drawn and if that day comes, we'll all have to face it. Our friends in the IRFU have worn this path long before us and they're getting on just fine. Not in anyway suggesting that I am in favour of professionalism but the GAA operates in a competitive environment and whether you like it or not, it has to be funded."
One man's terrorists are another's freedom fighters. I prefer the latter term in this context myself.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 13905 - 19/01/2024 15:15:41    2520982

Link

Replying To Square_B:  "Oh please. The IRB were fighting for Irish unity... not bombing places to smithereens."
You've never heard of the IRB's "dynamite campaign" then?

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13779 - 19/01/2024 16:13:51    2521000

Link