GAA defend €500k Croker fireworks

GAA CHIEFS last night defended the €500,000 to be spent on a fireworks display to mark the beginning of the Association’s 125th anniversary celebrations, stressing it will be ‘cost neutral.’

The dazzling light show will form the centrepiece of the entertainment planned for the January 31 extravaganza at Croke Park.

But GAA bosses expect a capacity crowd for the opening NFL fixture of 2009 between All-Ireland champions Tyrone and Dublin and that the monies earned from tickets will cancel out the cost of the pyrotechnics.

“It will be cost neutral,” a GAA spokesperson explained last night.

“We hope to have a full house and with the monies from that, it will cover the cost of fireworks.

“This is a night of celebration for the GAA and one that we hope that all the family and members can enjoy.”

The game will be broadcast on Setanta Ireland.