At last! GAA rules that Liam Miller charity match can be played at Páirc Uí Chaoimh

AFTER weeks of uncertainty and public pressure, an agreement has finally been reached that the Liam Miller tribute match will be played at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

In a joint statement issued yesterday by the GAA and the organising committee of the Liam Miller Tribute Match, they confirmed that following a series of meetings, the game will take place at the newly refurbished 45,000seater stadium, with a GAA event being included in advance of the game, which will be held on Tuesday, September 25.

Organisers of the match – who are raising funds for the family of Cork native and former Manchester United and Ireland international Liam Miller, who died of cancer in February – had initial requests to have the match played in Páirc Uí Chaoimh turned down by the GAA, with officials citing a rule that it was prohibited from holding games other than those under its control in its grounds.

The game was instead scheduled for the 7,000-seater Turner’s Cross stadium, with tickets to the game – which will feature former stars including Roy Keane and Rio Ferdinand – selling out in minutes.

Following the agreement between the GAA and the organising committee the game will take place on September 25 with ticketing details, as well as arrangements for those who had purchased tickets for Turner’s Cross, being released during the coming week.

Earlier this week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the stadium ‘is there with the help of €30m of taxpayers’ money’.

Politicians from across the spectrum were quick to voice their support for the decision. Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, a TD for Cork South Central, said he was delighted Liam Miller would be honoured in a fitting manner.

‘Delighted with GAA decision to host the Liam Miller tribute match in Páirc Uí Chaoimh,’ he tweeted yesterday. ‘Our community wins today and a great Cork sportsman will be honoured in a fitting manner – in line with the wishes of GAA players and supporters throughout the country, and indeed all sports people.’