Miller memorial game a step closer to being played at Páirc Uí Chaoimh
THE Liam Miller memorial soccer match has moved a step closer to being played in Páirc Uí Chaoimh after representatives from all stakeholders met at Croke Park.
Pressure has been mounting on the GAA to back down and open its Cork ground for the fundraiser to support Miller’s bereaved family.
Following a meeting between GAA officials and members of the organising committee for the match yesterday, the GAA’s management committee will discuss what rulebook flexibility it has with regard to facilitating the match at a scheduled meeting on Friday night.
If management decides the match can be accommodated at the 45,000-capacity Páirc Uí Chaoimh, a special Central Council meeting will be convened, possibly even this weekend, to seek final approval.
The Central Council is not scheduled to meet again until September, but there is recognition the matter needs to be resolved quickly.
GAA president John Horan, director-general Tom Ryan, Cork county board chair Tracy Kennedy, secretary Frank Murphy and three representatives of the organising committee – chair Michael O’Flynn, Graham Barrett and Ciarán Medlar – met to examine the grounds for moving the game from Turners Cross to Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Mr Horan and Mr Ryan did not have the power to give clearance for the game at that meeting, but have moved to put it on the agenda for Friday.
Former Republic of Ireland international Miller died of cancer in February aged 36.
The GAA has faced a blizzard of criticism for its handling of the controversy, which blew up last week when it emerged that the event organisers had sought Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the game because of surging interest.
The Central Council has set aside rules in special circumstances in the recent past.
Only last year a new rule determining that All-Ireland finals had to be played by the end of August was set aside to facilitate the visit of Pope Francis in Croke Park on the weekend of August 26, pushing the final back out to September 2.
Former Ireland international and pundit Damien Duff branded GAA authorities “dinosaurs” over their stance to the game.
“They’ve come out of it looking horrific,” said Duff, who is expected to participate in the event alongside Rio Ferdinand, Kevin Kilbane and Robbie Keane.
“To brush it aside and leave it for an AGM, it’s a load of rubbish. It’s people in suits who are absolute dinosaurs.
“If you strip it all back, a young man was taken way too early and this is to help a young bereft family,” he added.