The TD claimed that he was being ‘ironic.’
A few weeks ago, an incredible collection of former Manchester United and Ireland footballers agreed to take part in a tribute match in memory of Liam Miller.
After a brave battle with pancreatic cancer, the former Manchester United, Celtic and Cork City midfielder passed away at the age of 36.
Miller is survived by his wife Clare and his three children Kory, Leo and Belle. All proceeds from the tribute match will be used to help support Miller’s wife and children.
Paul McGrath and Andy Reid are just two of the people who have been incredibly critical of the GAA for their role in refusing permission for the tribute match to be played at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Páirc Uí Chaoimh, which holds 45,000, was seen as the ideal venue for the game but according to GAA Rule 42, there can be no playing of non-GAA sports in GAA stadiums – excluding Croke Park – for other codes. Exemptions to the rule can only be granted at the GAA’s annual Congress, which does not take place until February.
The Cork County Board has stated that they are adhering to the rules.
Obviously, the difference of 38,000 paying customers will impact the funds that are raised to help support Miller’s family.
Labour leader Brendan Howlin has also said: “When funding is granted for the redevelopment of places like Páirc Uí Chaoimh, it should be expected that communities can use the stadium for events like the Liam Miller charity match. Disappointing that the GAA won’t budge on this.”
In terms of other politicians that have weighed in on the issue, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, one of Sinn Féin’s two candidates in the Dublin South Central constituency, has said that this dispute “shows up the state of the professional sport of soccer in Ireland” because they “don’t have stadia big enough for these sort of events”
While it has been suggested that the game should be moved to the Aviva Stadium, Ó Snodaigh’s criticism of the football structure in Ireland is utterly pointless here.
Granted, if he were discussing the recent pay issues that the players of Limerick City and Bray Wanderers have faced, his criticism would be valid but as you can clearly see, the Sinn Féin party whip is miles away from the important message here.
Cork City – a League of Ireland football club – have generously offered their stadium to host the match, this issue has absolutely nothing to do with “the state of the professional sport of soccer in Ireland.”
https://twitter.com/aosnodaigh/status/1019982323427749888
After facing a barrage of tweets, the TD later claimed that he was being ironic.
https://twitter.com/KillianM2/status/1020267262937378816
https://twitter.com/stephenmaher07/status/1020047396661874688
https://twitter.com/stephenmaher07/status/1020047759506903041
Foreign Sports – who are you channeling Archbishop John Charles McQuaid? Taxpayers paid for some of the refurbishment, GAA should allow a testimonial to be played there
— Richard Collumb / Річард Коллам 🇮🇪 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@collumbo) July 19, 2018
Here’s how Ó Snodaigh responded to the online criticism that he faced.
https://twitter.com/aosnodaigh/status/1020225329594535937
https://twitter.com/aosnodaigh/status/1020076273312428032
