Time to revive ailing Páirc
Two games not to be missed.
Sunday didn’t disappoint and neither should the football game next Sunday. There will be some contrasts however – not least in the respective stadia involved, Fitzgerald Stadium and Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The final phase of development in Killarney under the watchful eye of chairman, Padraig O’Sullivan, has been completed. Facilities for spectators, media and most importantly, players, are now second to none. The spacious, modern dressing rooms are a dream, with plenty of room for warm-ups, cool-downs, stretching, rubbing, icing, talking, illustrating and all the other add-ons that are part and parcel of modern day inter-county activity.
This is in marked contrast to Páirc Uí Chaoimh. For all its charm, time has caught up with Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The Cork County Board are acutely aware of this and have been trying to address the situation for some time. But as things stand, they are snookered. Without the cooperation of the Cork city authorities, their elaborate plans for the redevelopment of the old bowl will count for nought. It’s hard to see why management, planners or public representatives would have any objection to the proposed development. Although having said that, I have seen situations around the country where the civil authorities, rather than bending over backwards to help the GAA and other sporting bodies to develop facilities, have put major obstacles in the way and made life very difficult for them.
The facts are that without the magnificent facilities developed by all sports bodies on a voluntary basis, local authorities would have to provide them. A facility like Páirc Uí Chaoimh is of enormous economic and psychological benefit to Cork. Apart from the great buzz and enjoyment that a big match brings to the city, the influx of 40,000 people has enormous economic spin-offs for the business community.
Because of Cork’s location and the fact it is equally strong at football and hurling, it will automatically generate far more bigger games and bigger crowds than any other Munster county.
Sadly only the Kerry footballers can draw a big crowd to Killarney, and the same applies to Thurles, where hurling is the premier game.
Because of the financial imperative and the importance of Cork as Ireland’s second city, if Páirc Uí Chaoimh didn’t exist, the City Council would have to build it. This is the case in many countries, notably Australia, where the municipal authorities have had to build and maintain large, expensive stadia so that Australian Rules, cricket and rugby can be played in their cities.
Páirc Uí Chaoimh badly needs a revamp. Indeed, if it doesn’t get one soon, the day can’t be far off when health and safety issues will limit the viability of Páirc Uí Chaoimh as a big-match venue.
The city authorities can thank their lucky stars the GAA is strong enough and capable enough to undertake the massive redevelopment work that is so badly needed. What’s more, no bank need worry that the GAA in Cork will renege on its financial responsibilities – unlike many other developers.
