Can you believe it, Director General Tom Ryan has suggested that the GAA rethink about letting out some of their grounds to other sports!
Who would have thought, especially after his comments that the GAA were ‘bullied’ into opening Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the Liam Miller memorial match a number of years ago ..
Speaking to the Irish Examiner Tom Ryan said the following;
“I wonder if, in the spirit of the foregoing, it might be time to reconsider our current restrictions regarding the use of Association property. Treoir Oifigiúl (GAA Official Guide) and Central Council policy currently prescribe that GAA grounds may only be used by other sports in the case of ‘events of national significance’.
Recent months have seen permission granted for a small number of games which possibly stretch that definition and have given me pause for thought.
“It’s not a question of finance, or at least not a short-term income stream. We are in an era where the construction of new grounds, the refurbishment of existing ones, and even the running costs of either pose an even greater challenge.
Our future lies with new models of ownership, municipal facilities and shared grounds. These could well present our best opportunities for expansion. In that context perhaps it is time to adopt a more liberal attitude to opening existing county grounds and trusting local county committees to make those decision based on practicalities and opportunities.
GAA ready to discuss opening all grounds to other sports, says DG Tom Ryan.
✍️@JohnFogartyIrl https://t.co/2Zm3vlbdJJ— Irish Examiner Sport (@ExaminerSport) February 8, 2024