The redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh has caused a series of headaches for Cork GAA.
While there is no doubt that the recently renovated stadium is a fine structure, it has also caused quite a few problems in recent times. Be it a dodgy playing surface, holding concerts there instead of GAA games, naming rights, or spiralling debt, the ground has been at the centre of quite a bit of controversy.
The stadium has reportedly cost at least €96 million to rebuild and there is reportedly in €30 million in debt related to the project for Cork GAA
But speaking this week after delivering his annual report, GAA president Tom Ryan said the stadium's cost were not a 'bad outcome'.
“Interestingly enough, when you reflect on the cost of potentially some other projects that are ahead of us, it doesn't look like necessarily a bad outcome. It's there, it's well used, it's to a high standard.
There are some in Cork GAA who disagree.
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Donal Óg Cusack goes on extraordinary Páirc Uí Choaimh rant
Donal Óg Cusack is someone who has never been afraid to criticise the Cork county board or GAA as a whole, with the 46-year old hammering both this evening for their role in allowing Páirc Uí Chaoimh to become such an issue.
Speaking on RTÉ this evening ahead of Kilkenny's visit to Cork, he went on a remarkable rant to call out the GAA for the way they managed the building of the stadium and the impact it has gone on to have on Cork in recent times.
Fireworks before throw-in at Páirc Uí Chaoimh - apologies - make that SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Jackie Tyrrell and Dónal Óg Cusack put the hurling world and the GAA to rights ahead of the league clash between Cork and Kilkenny. #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/idNtjPrgGU
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) February 10, 2024
In reality, there's a huge millstone been left around Cork's neck. They talk about €30million gone into the stadium, will we ever know how much was actually spent on it? You can't tell me that isn't going to impact on Cork players in the future...
It's a bigger issue with the GAA. You have to look at the amount of stadiums we have. We have way too many stadiums, we're investing way too much money in stadiums...
When is the GAA going to take responsibility? They're the people that have driven all of this.
It was the GAA that decided to build Croke Park, it was the GAA that decided to put the names on the jerseys, it was the GAA that decided to sell the television rights.
It would remind you of the Tories in the UK, blame everyone else and blaming the immigrants for their mistakes. When are we going to see Tom Ryan with a report and say 'I'm taking responsibility for this and I'm taking responsibility for this stadium'?
The GAA are every bit as responsible as Cork for the debt that is here. They all approved it. Tom Ryan is finance director since 2007.
When I say this is a nice stadium to come tonight to watch a game, it's like going into some couple's home where they've got a nice front room, but they've got no dinner on the table...
There was governance in this stadium that would make Nero blush. We're all well aware of this.
Donal Óg Cusack is certainly never one to hold back when it comes to issues such as this one.
It is an opinion that quite a few people associated with GAA in Cork are likely to share.
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