CONFIRMATION THAT THE Liam Miller tribute match will be held at Páirc Uí Chaoimh was received on Saturday, following meetings with the GAA’s Management Committee and Central Council at Croke Park.
A statement released this afternoon confirmed that the game was given the go-ahead and that a GAA event would be held beforehand on Tuesday 25 September at the 45,000 capacity venue.
There was a positive reaction to Saturday’s news that would see the game moved to a larger venue from Turner’s Cross, which holds a capacity of 7,000.
“Well done to @officialgaa for making the decision to open @PaircUiCha0imh …. now we can all focus on a fitting tribute,” said former hurler Tom Kenny, who won two All-Ireland championships with Cork.
Irish Olympic medalist Rob Heffernan said: “Well done to all involved in allowing this to happen. It will be a special night for all sports lovers in Cork and a fitting send off to a Cork legend.”
The game is being held to raise funds for charity and the family of former Republic of Ireland international Miller, who passed away earlier this year aged just 36 following a short battle with pancreatic cancer.
The match has been the subject of an ongoing controversy, after the Cork County Board refused to let its 45,000-seater stadium be used for the match because of the GAA’s rule 5.1, prohibiting the use of its grounds for foreign sports.
A 16-member Management Committee met at Croke Park on Friday night to discuss the use of Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the tribute match and this morning it put its preferred proposal before the GAA’s Central Council.
Saturday saw confirmation that the game was given the green light, with a statement saying:
The GAA and the organising committee of the Liam Miller tribute match can confirm that following meetings of the GAA’s Management Committee and Central Council, the event will take place at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday 25 September.
“In agreement with the committee the day will also include a GAA event in advance of the tribute match. The details will be finalised in the coming weeks.”
Cork City manager John Caulfield, who signed Miller in 2015, welcomed the decision to move the game to Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
“It’s about Liam and his family and making as much money as possible for them,” he said speaking to RedFM.
“The fact that it’s going to be a bigger venue is fantastic for everyone, because sport is sport.
“While there might have been one or two technicalities, I think everyone is glad that it’s going ahead at the Páirc.”
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