Decision day for GAA on Liam Miller tribute game

‘A large expense involved’

THE GAA’s Central Council will today decide if a tribute game to the late soccer player Liam Miller can go ahead at Páirc Úi Chaoimh.

The association’s 15-member management committee met last night to discuss opening the stadium, with a decision to do so expected to be rubberstamped by the 40-strong Central Council this morning.

Last night, RTÉ reported that one condition being considered by the management committee was that a portion of the proceeds from holding the game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh could go towards an additional charity of the GAA’s choice. The Irish Times suggested this charity could be a fund for seriously injured former GAA players. The GAA declined to respond to comment on the matter yesterday.

Proceeds from the game, which is currently due to be held on September 25 in the 7,500-capacity Turner’s Cross soccer ground, are due to go to the family of the late Ireland and Manchester United player Miller, who died from cancer in February, as well as Marymount Hospice in the city.

However, with the proceeds from the testimonial expected to multiply should the game switch to the 45,000 Páirc Uí Chaoimh, GAA officials were believed to be whether they should ask for some of the money to be given to a charity of its choosing.

Other suggestions expected to form part of today’s discussions include holding a game of hurling before kick-off at the Liam Miller Tribute match. Another is that there might be a display of underage hurling skills at half-time.

The proposal to ask for some of the proceeds from the testimonial to be given to a charity of the GAA’s choosing received a cool response from some of the GAA’s own stars last night.

Cork Gaelic football legend Niall Cahalane said he thought the idea was a bit ‘tacky’. ‘That is news to me and you have caught me there now,’ the two-time All-Ireland winner said on being asked what he thought.

‘It probably is a bit tacky. In fairness, the charities that are benefiting are well documented.

‘It is a bit late in the day to be coming up with this.’

He did, however, stress that there would be costs involved for whoever hosts the game which would have to be considered. ‘There is a large expense involved, running costs and that would have to be fair game because even if it was held at Turner’s Cross, there would still be costs.’

Fellow All-Ireland winner, Larry Tompkins, said last night: ‘I suppose it is hearsay at the moment, and it is hard to comment on something until you know the full story, and the full facts.

‘But the most important thing is that the game gets played in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. That would be the most sensible decision. We will have to wait and see who are the beneficiaries of the money.’

Asked if he thought it was appropriate for the GAA to seek some of the money to go towards a charity of its choosing, Mr Tompkins said he thought the existing plan was fine. ‘I would have thought the fund was there to help the family of Liam Miller and Cork’s Marymount Hospice,’ Mr Tompkins, who also managed the Cork footballers, replied. ‘I would have thought that that would have been sufficient. They do fantastic work there for people who go there to spend the last weeks and months of their lives.

‘They would be a very genuine beneficiary.’

GAA chiefs are said to want to be rid of the controversy that has prompted a barrage of criticism against it from its own sporting legends. On Wednesday, the Taoiseach suggested there was a duty on the GAA to allow the game be held in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Comment – Page 14 neil.michael@dailymail.ie