New name for the Páirc welcomed by grandson of Pádraig Ó Caoimh
The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, said the passion that emerged amongst the general public - for an against the re-naming - shows how important thestadium is to Cork's story and its sense of pride and its sense of place. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
The grandson of Pádraig Ó Caoimh, former director general of the GAA and the man whom Páirc Uí Chaoimh is named after, has welcomed a decision to rename Cork’s iconic GAA stadium SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh as part of a new ten year partnership with the supermarket retailer.
Cork County Board confirmed on Wednesday that SuperValu would assume the first naming rights of the stadium and that the deal would be finalised at a special meeting of delegates to the Cork County Board on Thursday.
The naming rights have been a controversial issue for the Cork County Board since it was suggested that the name of the man after whom the Páirc is named would be dropped.
The decision to preserve historical ties, which is expected to be accepted by delegates of various Cork clubs at the meeting on Thursday, has appeased those who opposed losing the link to the Ó Caoimh family, including Pádraig Ó Caoimh’s grandson Dónal Ó Caoimh.
Speaking following the announcement by the Cork County Board, he said that common sense had prevailed.
he said.
“This compromise helps promote the financial stability of the games as well as protect our heritage and the values of the GAA: inclusiveness, community spirit, and sense of identity and place. Values that my grandfather Pádraig Caoimh embodied.
“This new agreed 10-year sponsorship deal with SuperValu safeguards that honour. It was vital to me that open and transparent debate took place on the issue of naming rights.
“The public discourse and debate that took place in the media and in-houses across the country since the story broke is evidence of a well-functioning democracy and I am grateful to everyone who contributed to this.”
The Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Kieran McCarthy told that the decision is “a welcome outcome of the negotiations”.
“Many thanks to all involved for the re-naming compromise - the GAA and SuperValu. There was a positive debate and many thanks to SuperValu for their continued generosity to community life in Cork and across the country,” he said.
“What I also witnessed in the past week emerging from the proposed renaming was a positive public space for Corkonians to reflect not only upon the re-naming and the generous sponsorship but also to hear more on the future vision and plans for Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould and councillors for Cork City North West Kenneth Collins and Mick Nugent said that those involved in the GAA, including volunteers who have given lifetimes to the GAA, deserve a say in decisions like this.
“This has now been announced again on a Wednesday morning with a meeting the following evening. For those with full-time jobs and other commitments, this is nowhere near enough time for an amateur organisation to have this kind of debate,” Mr Gould said.
Fine Gael councillor for Cork City South-East Des Cahill said: “I’m glad a compromise was agreed. Now, the much-needed funds are secured and the inclusion of the historical name is preserved. I’d call it a draw.” Local Labour Party candidate for Cork City South East Peter Horgan welcomed the decision which he said is “a testament to the tradition and respect of Pádraig Ó Caoimh”.
“Sponsorship and naming rights are a reality that all organisations must deal with and it is by extensive communications showing the need to retain our history but deal with financial reality that a compromise was reached. SuperValu deserves great credit for the way it has retained Páirc Uí Chaoimh in the naming rights,” he said.
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