Cork GAA says discussions to continue around naming rights deal for Páirc Uí Chaoimh

CORK GAA has said discussions are continuing around the naming rights deal for Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

In a statement issued tonight, it said that both Cork GAA and SuperValu “remain committed to continuing their engagement, as both parties share a common interest in supporting Gaelic games across the county”.

The Cork GAA statement came as county board delegates met this evening where it had been expected they would vote on proposals for a naming rights deal for the stadium.

“While no matter had been finalised prior to the meeting of delegates to the county board on Tuesday evening, both sides have been conscious of the public debate that followed recent speculation in the media,” the statement read.

“SuperValu and Cork GAA remain committed to continuing their engagement, as both parties share a common interest in supporting Gaelic games across the county, and discussions are continuing.”

Naming rights 

Details of the naming rights decision first came to light on Monday, when it was reported that Cork’s headquarters was to be rebranded SuperValu Páirc or Park under the deal.

Three other companies, Boston Scientific, Statkraft and PepsiCo, are also reported to have stadium branding privileges as part of the package for an initial three years.

The total package is reported to be worth between €250,000 and €300,000 a year to Cork GAA.

The proposals have been met with strong reactions.

Dónal Ó Caoimh, the grandson of Pádraig Ó Caoimh, today called for a U-turn on the proposals.

“My grandfather embodied the empathy, hospitality, and community spirit that is the essence of the GAA,” he said.

“His dream was inclusivity: to have a GAA-owned pitch in every parish. Under his stewardship, the GAA became the biggest amateur association of its kind in the world.

“The gateway is open for the sale of our heritage and narrative for profit. My grandfather’s story inspires young players to dream. You take away the absence of focus on money and corporations from games and you have lost what makes the GAA unique.”

He voiced hope that his grandfather’s name will live on in the hearts and minds of the people.

“I have faith that Páirc Uí Chaoimh will forever retain its original name in the hearts and minds of the people of Cork. I understand the importance for raising funds for the sustainability of the GAA but there needs to be sensitivity to history.”

'Anger and betrayal'

County board delegate and Echo columnist John Arnold said the proposed decision was like “spitting on the memory” of long-time GAA administrator Pádraig Ó Caoimh who the stadium was named after.

“It’s difficult to describe the feelings of anger and betrayal,” the GAA historian said.

“When I heard the news I was a mixture of feelings. I was crying and angry. I told myself that it had to be the first of April. It had to be a joke.”

He questioned where the line would be drawn.

“Are we going to get to a stage where Páirc Uí Rinn is renamed 7Up Páirc?

“It’s great to have the money but this is for a deal that is only going to last a few years.”

Mr Arnold fears that a name change is retrograde to values normally prioritised by the organisation.

“They should be in a position to dictate the terms. The bottom line should have been not selling the naming rights of Páirc Uí Chaoimh. It wouldn’t smack so much if we were an organisation that didn’t value its history and the Irish language but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Pádraig Ó Caoimh is as much of a legend now as he was when Páirc Uí Chaoimh first opened in the 1970s and that’s not going to change.”

Hopes for compromise on name 

Speaking to The Echo, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Kieran McCarthy, said he hoped a compromise could be made around any naming of the stadium, recognising SuperValu and its contribution to the community in Cork but also highlighting the importance of recognising Pádraig Ó Caoimh’s legacy.

“What we have in the city today is a debate between future-proofing Páirc Uí Chaoimh’s sponsorship versus civic pride and civic history,” he said.

“Full kudos to SuperValu....They’ve always looked after communities, but this is a major thing on their behalf to come forward even more so, full gratitude.

“Then on the other hand, you’ve got a name like Páirc Uí Chaoimh which is synonymous with Cork. If you mention Páirc Uí Chaoimh or Shandon anywhere up the country people go ‘yeah, Cork’. So, you’re dealing with a piece on civic pride as well in Cork, and civic history, civic heritage, and civic memory.”

The Lord Mayor said that as a historian, he believes “we need to be careful with what we do”.

“It would be like me trying to change the name of the Marina or the Shakey Bridge, they’re just engrained in Cork’s historical DNA and we just need to mind it.

“But I fully appreciate that the GAA needs money to get out of the €30 million debt, there’s no mistake in that.

“My call would be that I hope a compromise could be found...that the SuperValu sponsorship can be honoured and the legacy of Pádraig Ó Caoimh can be honoured as well,” he told The Echo.

Tánaiste expresses disappointment 

Prior to last night’s meeting, Tánaiste Micheál Martin had expressed his disappointment at the proposed change.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Mr Martin said: “Deeply disappointed & annoyed at the proposal to change the name of Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“Pádraig Uí Chaoimh was a key figure in the formation of the GAA at club and national level.

“Govt allocated €30m towards the development of the stadium and never sought naming rights.”

Fine Gael councillor for Cork City South-East Des Cahill said that while the additional funding is welcome “I think people will for many years still refer to the stadium as Pàirc Uí Chaoimh. But overall, a great partnership between two great Cork institutions.”

Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould, whose family is steeped in the GAA, was critical of the proposals.

“I think it goes against the ethos and the amateur community status of the association.

“It’s commercialising the GAA. It’s about the whole history behind the association and what we stand for. There’s a drive towards commercialism and professionalism and that’s not what the association is about. What makes the GAA so unique and special is our amateurism and our community.”

Sinn Féin councillor Mick Nugent said that a lot of GAA members were “stunned” to learn of the decision on Monday night.

He said Pádraig Ó Caoimh did huge work in growing the GAA in Cork and that he “encapsulated” everything about the GAA in terms of “being a republican and promoting our Gaelic games”.

Labour Party candidate for Cork City South East Ward Peter Horgan added: “The name of our most famous stadium in Cork will always be Páirc Uí Chaoimh to me as will the Blackrock end of the stadium, no matter what deals are done on sponsorship,” he said.