LONG KESH STADIUM PROJECT IN DANGER

[Donagh]

However regrettably few people travel to games from Derry city and Antrim rarely play in Clones. Places like West Tyrone and South Armagh where the GAA is strong are convenient enough to Clones. 

There's more to the GAA in Ulster than south Armagh and west Tyrone (and potentially even more in the future).

[Star Spangler]

However regrettably few people travel to games from Derry city and Antrim rarely play in Clones. Places like West Tyrone and South Armagh where the GAA is strong are convenient enough to Clones.

It's not too shabby in East Tyrone either! 

[Star Spangler]

GAA president Nicky Brennan has said the association is fully committed to the sports stadium being proposed for the former site of the Maze Prison in the North.

In a statement today, Mr Brennan said recent speculation to the contrary was unfounded.

The sports stadium is being proposed as part of the redevelopment plans for the former Maze site.

[reiteoir]

OK, NB has nailed his colours to the mast. But here are some issues that should be considered in relation to this Long Kesh stadium.

1 Last year's McKenna Cup Final over 20,000 people asttended the game in Casement Park. Every penny collected at the gates went back into the GAA. If we host our games at Long Kesh then the money collected at the gate goes where? I appreciate that not every game will be played at Long Kesh, however, any source which drains revenue from the GAA needs to be carefully considered. I'm sure the Gaels of Tyrone would much rather see a match at Healy Park or Antrim folk would prefer to get a few bob from the gate if the game were at Casement. In reality this stadium does present a commercial threat to the GAA in Ulster.

2 The Brits are building this stadium to improve and develop sport in the 6 cos. Very decent of them indeed, damn nice chaps those Brits. The reality of the situation is that the Brits care no more about local sport than I do about a pimple on Maggie Thatcher's arse. This stadium is a white elephant. Soccer people don't want it. Rugby people don't want and GAA people neither want or need it. We have enough facilities of our own. A more pratical solution would be instead of building this stadium that the Brits give the money to the various sporting organisations so that it can be invested in improving current facilities and/or in coaching. The Brits are using this stadium as a manifestation of the developments in the 6 cos and because they are selling the project as such, none of the three local sporting bodies wants to speak out against it in the fear that they would be considered to be against progress.Their minister of sport stated that unless all three bodies bought into the concept then it couldn't go ahead, in other words if you say no then you'll spoil the fun for everybody. I believe that the GAAhould have exercised strong leadership and called the Brits' bluff on this one, however, at that time, Kelly was at the helm and he proved himself to be a real Shoneen and Brennan had to pick up the baton when he came into office.
 

In short, this project offers no value whatsoever to the GAA