SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh merits further state funding, insists McGann

Levies associated with the stadium debt were something Cork GAA had been loathe to administer. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

One of the two club delegates to query the levies imposed on clubs by Cork GAA believes SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh merits further state funding.

Along with Bride Rovers’ John Arnold, Castlelyons’ Kieran McGann asked at last week’s county board meeting exactly how much each club would have to contribute in new expenses as the board looks to service its €31 million-plus stadium debt.

The Government contributed €30m to the reconstruction of the Ballintemple stadium in 2018. However, McGann has highlighted the worth of the venue to the economy and cited how US states have subsidised the building of NFL stadia.

In New York, Buffalo Bills’ new 62,000 stadium is estimated to cost over $2 billion with the state and local county contributing $850 million, while the $430m reconstruction of Baltimore Ravens’ home is being funded solely by state funds in Maryland.

“Cork is invaluable to the GAA,” said McGann. “We’re the second city, the biggest county and one-tenth of the GAA, believe it or not. I would be looking at the models in Europe and the US where public monies support the stadiums.

“The recent report that showed the value of the GAA in socio-economic terms highlighted Semple Stadium when it has 45,000 at a game brings in €3.2m to Thurles and €4.5m to Tipp.

“Last year, there were four big events like [Bruce] Springsteen in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and five big games including the rugby and women’s soccer. That is of huge benefit to the city.

“I certainly would think state grants should be provided to Páirc Uí Chaoimh because it is invaluable when it is marketed. There was a winter festival there as well recently.

“Many places have overran with costs and I was looking at stadiums in the US, which cost a bomb, but there is always state intervention with taxpayers’ money and I would certainly like to see something like that happening in Cork.” 

McGann is worried about the additional financial pressures put on clubs when their worth to the local communities was underlined by last week’s Storm Eowyn. 

“We have done serious development in our club in the last number of years and we’re at the pin of our collar to continue with it for our community.

“If the climate continues to go the way it’s going, the focus on the club in the event of emergencies will become greater. You saw it this past week in the west, counties like Roscommon and Westmeath. The clubs are already doing what they can to help people.”