Mulvihill’s vision applauded as Croker takes shape

GOVERNMENT funding, which accounted for almost a third of the overall expenditure was crucial in expediting the €225m redevelopment of Croke Park, outgoing President Sean McCague admitted yesterday.

Mr McCague made his comments after the official opening and ecumenical blessing of the Canal End and Hogan Stand in the presence of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and a distinguished attendance.

As the GAA await the balance of the grant promised two years ago, Mr McCague confirmed that the completion of the work at the Northern (Hill 16) end will be dictated by ‘cost and cash flow.’

Meanwhile it has been learned that a policy decision has yet to be taken on how the different components of the horseshoe shaped section should be named.

Interestingly, when the new Cusack Stand was officially opened six years ago, it was simply referred to as the ‘New’ Stand. The thinking then was that the three tiers (bottom, middle and top) should commemorate the names of Cusack, Hogan and Nally, based on ‘horizontal’ circulation. This allows access by spectators from any side of the ground to the entire level for which a supporter holds a ticket.

The Taoiseach and Mr McCague acknowledged the major role played by Director-General Liam Mulvihill in redeveloping the stadium.

In 1988 Hill 16 was modernised and, following the 1993 All-Ireland football final, work on he demolition of the 55 year-old Cusack Stand was begun. Mr McCague commented: “in evaluating what was required and in organising the redevelopment of Hill 16 as a modern ultra-safe terrace, Liam came to believe that the various other individual components which constituted Croke Park had exceeded, or had close to exceeded, their sell-by date. He therefore set about formulating a cohesive integrated plan to totally redevelop Croke Park to the highest international standards.”

Mr Ahern said that the opening of the two stands represented another milestone in ‘the long and distinguished history’ of Croke Park. And, in complimenting Sean McCague and his predecessors - Paddy Buggy, the late John Dowling, Peter Quinn, Jack Boothman and Joe McDonagh - he said that the perseverance of the Director-General had been ‘crucial to this success story.’ Mr Ahern recalled that as Minister for Finance he had allocated a special grant of €6.3m towards the project in the initial stages while his Government had provided a further €63.5m. in the interim period.

“The new facilities are truly magnificent,” the Taoiseach said. The GAA have ensured that future generations will also enjoy special days here, like so many Irish people before them.”

In June, he pointed out that Croke Park would have the distinction of hosting the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2003 Special Olympics World Games.

Mr McCague stressed that the stadium could not have been redeveloped to the existing scale or standard without ‘ingenious planning’ which allowed games to be played, capacity to be retained and cash flow maintained while the project was in progress.

“It would not have happened without the support of our clubs and the Irish business sector and without the generous support of the Government.

“In a total investment of €225m to date, the Government has allocated €66.8m. to the redevelopment. This was a major and key element in allowing us to progress the works,” he said.