‘Taking away a piece of Cork’: People have their say on proposed renaming of Páirc Uí Chaoimh

PEOPLE in Cork have described the proposed Páirc Uí Chaoimh name-change as an “utter joke”.

Following news earlier this week that the GAA stadium could potentially be renamed, The Echo asked the public for their opinions.

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

The Páirc Uí Chaoimh stadium company filed an operating loss of around €331,000 last year, while Cork GAA’s debt stands above €30m.

“We know that the debt has to be paid, but this is the wrong way of doing it,” Model Farm Rd local Noel Coffey told The Echo.

Northsider Conor Mullane said: “Considering that even Micheál Martin has come out against this, you can tell that the people of Cork aren’t happy about it.

“I go to lots of Cork games and I will never call it SuperValu Park.” 

The Tánaiste had previously stated that he is “deeply disappointed” and “annoyed” at the proposal to rename Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Many members of the public highlighted the importance of the Páirc Uí Chaoimh name and its history, saying that a name change would be like “taking away a piece of Cork”.

“I feel for the family of Pádraig Ó Caoimh, who the Páirc is named after,” Peter Connolly told The Echo.

“It seems like they are being sold out and forgotten about when there is money being offered.”

The grandson of Pádraig Ó Caoimh, Dónal Ó Caoimh, took to X, formerly Twitter, on Monday night to say he had learned of the decision through the media.

When asked, the Patrick St shoppers disagreed with the name change, however, most said they would be more receptive to a compromise, suggesting that SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh would be a better alternative.

Odhran Fahy, Galway

“I am actually from Galway, but even I don’t think that they should change the name. If I feel like that, I can’t imagine what the Cork supporters must be thinking about it. It is a sellout, really.

“I would say that they will go and try and keep the Páirc Uí Chaoimh name now after seeing the reaction.

Even if they named it ‘SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh’, it would be better.”

Peter Connolly, Cathedral Road

“I’m against a name change. The name was there for the family and it feels like they are being sold out. Why can’t they run a good few concerts and wipe the debt that way? Why should the family’s name be scrubbed from it, just for a few pounds? It’s a disgrace. 

"I must congratulate Micheál Martin on nailing his colours to the mast, in fairness. I think it is just a joke, and to tell the truth, if I was asked about the change for Musgrave Park, I would be cribbing about too.”

Triona O’Donnell, The Lough

“I’m against it because I don’t think the name is actually going to change. Everyone is still going to call it Páirc Uí Chaoimh. If SuperValu want to spend a bunch of money putting their name on it, they are welcome to, but I think it is going to be like the Heineken Cup. They renamed that years ago and it is still known as that.

SuperValu might as well try to get good press as opposed to the bad press this is getting. As well, anything as Gaeilge is nice.”

Michael Broughton, Dublin

“It’s all about the money, at the end of the day. Like they have done with other stadiums, such as Breffni Park, they could make it a double-barrel name, ‘Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh’ maybe.

“The history behind the current name is so important. I listened to the members of the Ó Caoimh family being interviewed the other day, and I see where they are coming from in all of this. I am all for the sponsorship, but also keeping hold of the history.”

Conor Mullane, Mayfield

“This is not going to sit right with the people of Cork. We are still going to call it Páirc Uí Chaoimh, we are not going to call it Supervalu Park at all. I can’t imagine saying to my friends: ‘Lads, will we head down to Supervalu Park there?’.

“Do I think it should be changed? No, due to its history, but it might have to be changed, because of the money.”

Noreen and Christine, Ballintemple

“We thought it was a joke. Why can’t they just leave well enough alone? They should just leave it as it is. 

You can only hope they will be reversing this decision. I suppose at the end of the day, if it does change, people will adjust to it. 

The name SuperValu Park though just sounds like a joke. Lots of people were asking if it was an early April Fools Day joke when they heard it first.”

Noel Coffey, Model Farm Road

“For the people of Cork, it’ll always be Páirc Uí Chaoimh. It is nice to see there is a sponsor there, but it will always be Páirc Uí Chaoimh. It was definitely the wrong way of doing things. They should have consulted with clubs first. 

At the end of the day, what is more important is putting a decent team on the pitch.

“They are in debt, and they do have to pay it off, but why can’t they get people in seats and hold big concerts and games there to do that?”