It is galling that SuperValu would consider eradicating my grandfather’s legacy on renaming Páirc Uí Chaoimh
THE grandson of Pádraig Ó Caoimh is ‘shocked and saddened’ over the planned renaming of the famous GAA stadium in Cork due to a multimillion-euro debt.
Cork GAA is proposing to rename Páirc Uí Chaoimh, SuperValu Páirc, or Park, as part of a €1million sponsorship deal with the supermarket chain.
The three-year-deal will provide the county board with an injection of €250,000 per annum. It’s understood its debts currently stand at around €30million.
In a multi-layered agreement, Boston Scientific, Statkraft and PepsiCo will have subsidiary branding rights.
The stadium has been named after the former GAA general secretary for the last 50 years. Pádraig Ó Caoimh’s grandson, Dónal, said he first learned about the proposal through the media. In a statement, he said that nobody from the GAA contacted him about the deal.
‘I’m in shock and saddened. My grandfather
‘Inspires young players to dream’
embodied the empathy, hospitality, and community spirit that is the essence of the GAA… Under his stewardship, the GAA became the biggest amateur association of its kind in the world.
‘It is galling to me that SuperValu would consider making the eradication of my grandfather’s legacy a condition of sponsorship. The gateway is open for the sale of our heritage and narrative for profit.’
Mr Ó Caoimh said his grandfather’s story ‘inspires young players to dream’.
‘I understand the importance [of] raising funds for the sustainability of the GAA, but there needs to be sensitivity to history,’ he said.
The proposal was debated last night behind closed doors, which Mr Ó Caoimh said was ‘profoundly undemocratic’.
Tánaiste and Corkman Micheál Martin expressed dismay on social media. ‘Deeply disappointed and annoyed at the proposal to change the name of Páirc Uí Chaoimh,’ he wrote. ‘Pádraig Ó Caoimh 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.’
Following last night’s debate, a spokeswoman said: ‘Cork GAA can confirm that it is in discussions with SuperValu regarding the naming rights for Páirc Uí Chaoimh. While no matter had been finalised prior to the meeting of delegates to the County Board, both sides have been conscious of the public debate that followed recent speculation in the media... SuperValu and Cork GAA remain committed to continuing their engagement.’