Armagh to sell naming rights for new Athletic Grounds

[Hardy]

Should have been name after either Cardinal O Fiach or Orchard county grounds.

Why?

[Ulick]

Should have been name after either Cardinal O Fiach or Orchard county grounds.

Naming it for O'Fiaich is a pretty good suggestion although it's probably best we prioritise getting rid of the debt first.

http://www.armagh-gaa.com/Home/History/Armagh-Greats/Cardinal-O-Fiaich.aspx

St Tiernach's Park, Clones - has been for many years the undisputed mecca of Ulster football. To our late Cardinal Tomas O'Fiaich, Clones was special' very special! Many a time as a young priest he joined the large contingents of supporters streaming down Fermanagh Street, en route to the pitch, stopping outside the Creighton Hotel at the 'buy your hats and colours' stand.

When Tomas was elevated by the Church - and likewise by the G.A.A. to the V.I.P.s. enclosure, part of Tomas O'Fiaich the supporter may have possibly died, though never his zeal and enthusiasm for the game. Perhaps he would have preferred the hustle and bustle environment of the famous 'Hill' where many a time he threw his hat or scarf up in the air in exaltation, cheered on a scintillating forward movement, applauded a sturdy piece of defending or acknowledged a skillful display of aerial ability.

Clones rose to prominence in the 40s; there was then a major railway junction that could handle fourteen special trains in a hour and allied to that was the amenity of the new renowned 'Hill' which could accommodate the extra thousands, thus the every increasing attendances and gates.

Year after year Father Tom attended the Ulster Final. He had his own 'team ', a few friends from around Crossmaglen, all travelling in his little Morris Minor which he acquired when at Maynooth, and joyfully christened 'Tin Lizzie'. These outings would always be followed by a celebratory meal in a hostelry on the way home and later by his penning of yet another 'Ballad of Tin Lizzie' in which the memory of that particular game would be enshrined.

Not alone was the Cardinal an exceptional Armagh supporter, his knowledge pertaining to Ulster G.A.A. matters was both accurate and excessive. His interest certainly didn't start and finish with his own beloved County. Just like his command of the languages, appropriately excised, Tomas was equally at 'home' in any of the other eight Ulster G.A.A. Counties, when it came to speaking on or debating football, for he was well aquainted with the history of each, the names of their top players and administrators, information naturally garnered by his countless memorable trips to Clones.

He followed the great Cavan teams with profundity, could distinguish the difference in the O'Reilly's of Mullahoran and those off Cornafean, could have told you that the 1935 Ulster Final was played in Belturbet on 14 July when Fermanagh against the might of Cavan, had the assistance of his boyhood idol Jim McCullough and put up a fine display before going down 2 - 6 to 2 - 1, no mean feat against the eventual All-Ireland Champions. He could further relate that the following year, Armagh relieved them of their Ulster Crown, in a final played, not in Clones, but Casement Park. Armagh went on to contest that 1953 All-Ireland, a game which most Armagh supporters are inclined not to think about yet the Cardinal in his true sporting nature, enjoy reminiscing over that hour against Kerry, for his love for both Armagh and the game invariably went much deeper than the thin surface of success.

When Tomas was made Cardinal in 1979 things obviously changed. No longer was his cherry countenance and rotund figure to be seen on the banks and terraces or mingling with the multitudes on Clones Hill - from his vantage point in the V.l.P.s 'Box' he was now looking across at them, no doubt fondly recalling old finals, old friends and many a darn good soaking. Cardinal O'Fiaich had become an integral part of the Ulster Final big day pageantry - walking out on the inviting Clones sward, his familiar step and inimitable swing of the shoulders, across to the middle of the park to meet and shake hands with the rival captains, referee and others officiating.

How happy and proud Tomas must have felt in his first year as Cardinal, standing alongside his fellow Armachians, Con Short, the then Ulster Council President and Referee Hugh Duggan, who was in charge of the 1979 Ulster Final and later that same year, the All-lreland,as they posed for the cameras.

The following year he had the joy of congratulating Paddy Moriarty on collecting the Anglo-Celt when Armagh beat Tyrone. In 1982 another big day for Armagh in Clones when Colm McKinstry raised aloft the coveted silverware following the defeat of Fermanagh. Armagh were back in the 1984 and 1987 finals, losing both to Tyrone (Frank McGuigan's eleven points) and Derry, respectively and no doubt the Cardinal shared the bitter disappointment of thousands of loyal Orchard County fans.

Armagh were back in Clones contesting the 1990 decider with Donegal and a familiar face was missing  that of Tomas O'Fiaich, whose untimely death a few months earlier was still very much a stunning reality. But no doubt he had the very best view of all that day, from his home up in heaven and one could just imagine him turning round to St. Peter, sporting his usual smile and saying, when the final whistle blew and Armagh had lost by a point, 'Ah, not to worry, sure we'll be back next year'.

Perhaps no other county in Ireland has been endowed with a more loyal body of followers, whose fidelity to Gaelic ideals and to their county has been maintained through the dark years of constant defeats as in the occasional moment of triumph. The leader of that loyal body was unquestionably the late Cardinal. 

[ogshead]

I just drove around the Ring Road in Armagh there and I saw a big banner accross the back of the stand which confirms the name; 'Morgan Athletic Grounds'!!

[winsamsoon]

yet another shame brought on us by our county board.

[lawnseed]

is the league still the boyle transport league?

[Agent Orange]

is the league still the boyle transport league?

I hope they paid in advance.

[lawnseed]

is the league still the boyle transport league?

I hope they paid in advance.

now now.. theres people got less for more

[Goats Do Shave]

is the league still the boyle transport league?

SimplyFruit.com

[Applesisapples]

Whats the big beef? Hughie Morgan has funded the County Team for many years now. I know he is not universally popular but who is? In the current climate it is only right that the County Board follow the Rugby and Soccer guys and sell the naming rights and given Morgan Fuels long standing support it would have been a shame had some one else got it.

[Agent Orange]

Whats the big beef? Hughie Morgan has funded the County Team for many years now. I know he is not universally popular but who is? In the current climate it is only right that the County Board follow the Rugby and Soccer guys and sell the naming rights and given Morgan Fuels long standing support it would have been a shame had some one else got it.

Cant please everyone. The w*nkers complaining about Hughie would be doing a lot more complaining if they were asked to put their hands in their pockets to help the county out. What do people suggest, tax the clubs?

[Goats Do Shave]

Whats the big beef? Hughie Morgan has funded the County Team for many years now. I know he is not universally popular but who is? In the current climate it is only right that the County Board follow the Rugby and Soccer guys and sell the naming rights and given Morgan Fuels long standing support it would have been a shame had some one else got it.

Cant please everyone. The w*nkers complaining about Hughie would be doing a lot more complaining if they were asked to put their hands in their pockets to help the county out. What do people suggest, tax the clubs?

Clubs are getting taxed plenty as it is... & should be means tested! The seats aren't going as well as planned & that is going to come back to the clubs also!!

I'm all for selling the rights... save the clubs! There won't be that many sad to see the previous name go (bar the Tyronies for their nickname.)

Fair play Hughie!

[Banana Man]

did hughie fall out with the new club in kileen that he founded?