Casement will not host Rules game

[fitzroyalty]

A good article by Paddy, as usual. A million times better than the Friday column!

One thing however, is that he ignored the fact that the competition from Rugby in Munster, and particularly in Limerick, is a challenge to the GAA there, just as much as ignorance and indifference is up here.

I wouldn't say it is as much, though it is an issue. You are exposed to both Rugby & GAA in Munster, wheras seemingly in parts of Belfast you aren't exposed to the GAA at all.

[Maguire01]

A good article by Paddy, as usual. A million times better than the Friday column!

One thing however, is that he ignored the fact that the competition from Rugby in Munster, and particularly in Limerick, is a challenge to the GAA there, just as much as ignorance and indifference is up here.

I wouldn't say it is as much, though it is an issue. You are exposed to both Rugby & GAA in Munster, wheras seemingly in parts of Belfast you aren't exposed to the GAA at all.

I don't disagree, and i think it would have been good for Belfast to get this. My point is just that Belfast isn't the only place where the GAA faces challenges.

Another debate altogether is how effective IR would actually be in promoting GAA.

[TheDoc]

McSparran demands explanation after Casement Park slight

Antrim county chairman John McSparran has written to the director-general of the GAA to find out why Casement Park was overlooked as the venue for the first Test of this year's

International Rules series.

The GAA's Central Council announced last Saturday that the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick was chosen from the list of stadia that included McHale Park in Castlebar, O'Moore Park in Portlaoise, Kingspan Breffni Park and Casement Park.

McSparran has revealed that delegates were informed at last week's Central Council meeting that the Gaelic Grounds was chosen because "a substantial business plan was submitted to supported the application".

However, the Saffron chairman has queried why the Limerick County Board compiled such a

detailed proposal.

He confirmed that he has written to Paraic Duffy and raised a number of questions about the bidding process.

McSparran said: "The minutes from the Central Council meeting on the 10th of January said that each province should make a submission nominating a suitable venue.

"There was no mention of any requirement for a business plan. Had this been required then we certainly would have supplied one."

McSparran is openly suspicious of the situation whereby only one county board provided a detailed and comprehensive plan to support their proposal.

"I have asked Paraic Duffy if there was any advice issued to any of the applicants that a business plan would be a good idea."

The Antrim official has also asked why the facilities in the Gaelic Grounds were deemed to be suitable when concerns had been raised about Casement Park.

"When Nickey Brennan mooted Casement Park as a venue for the first Test last year, fears were immediately expressed about the changing rooms.

Nickey Brennan even hinted that funds would be made available to upgrade them.

"But I have asked Paraic if any similar concerns exist about the dressing rooms in the Gaelic Grounds. Anyone who has been in them can tell you that they are woeful. They are barely fit for our own games".

The Cushendun doctor is convinced that economics played a role in Casement Park being snubbed.

He said: "We have been informed that the National Finance Committee had recommended for both games to be played in Croke Park in order to maximise the revenue.

"So, given that the Gaelic Grounds has a larger capacity than Casement Park, we want to know if this was also a reason why Casement lost out."

McSparran added: "We have been denied a glorious opportunity to promote the GAA in Belfast. We are just bitterly disappointed and confused by the manner in which this decision was reached.

"Casement Park was named as the first choice.

"We just want to know the specific reasons which led to Casement Park losing its status as the preferred choice.

"We want to be advised why this was the case."

[ziggysego]

I see someone has wrote into On the Fence today saying that Casement Park should have gotten the Rules game, if only for the excellent disabled facilities, which he stated is amongst the best in the country. WTF??

It seems I'm going to have to make my debut next week on OTF in reply to that letter!

[Hardy]

"But I have asked Paraic if any similar concerns exist about the dressing rooms in the Gaelic Grounds. Anyone who has been in them can tell you that they are woeful. They are barely fit for our own games".

Can anybody suggest what the sentence in bold may mean?

[ONeill]

For all Paddy's home-grown bluster, is it not simply the case that Casement handed in something akin to an A4 sheet of paper saying 'I'd like a go' whereas others put together a proposal.

[rrhf]

My understanding is that they offered a late license the night of the game to cater for the tourists and a complimentary walking tour of the Falls was the sticking point. 

[Doogie Browser]

When you consider the Aussies are used to the Telstra dome and the MCG it would be a bit of a culture shock to turn on the telly to see Casement with a haze of smoke drifting across the pitch after someone torched a JCB next door. 

[Maguire01]

For all Paddy's home-grown bluster, is it not simply the case that Casement handed in something akin to an A4 sheet of paper saying 'I'd like a go' whereas others put together a proposal.

As far as i understand, Limerick was the only one of the grounds to put forward a business case. There does not seem to have been a requirement for a business case. That can probably mean one of two things - that Limerick used there initiative and have been rewarded for doing so (and put together a very good case for having the game there), or that the business case is a cover for not wanting the game in Belfast in the first place.
Either way, it was not a level playing field. HQ should (in the interests of fairness and transparency) either have binned the business case or asked the other counties to submit the same, so that they could compare like with like.

[Maguire01]

I see someone has wrote into On the Fence today saying that Casement Park should have gotten the Rules game, if only for the excellent disabled facilities, which he stated is amongst the best in the country. WTF??

It seems I'm going to have to make my debut next week on OTF in reply to that letter!

Had spotted that and thought of your comments earlier in this thread!

[Maguire01]

"But I have asked Paraic if any similar concerns exist about the dressing rooms in the Gaelic Grounds. Anyone who has been in them can tell you that they are woeful. They are barely fit for our own games".

Can anybody suggest what the sentence in bold may mean?

I'm assuming it is in reference to the visit by 'professional' sports people.

[Hardy]

Yes - it's hard to see it meaning anything other than that he believes low standards are acceptable in our games, but not for visitors, whom this man must perceive as our betters.

What a shoneen attitude.

[rrhf]

Its not often I agree with a meath man.   

[tyroneStatto]

the changing rooms in casement are pathetic and embarrassing. i'd say the pit area where the subs sit and which has been the scene for many a row would have gone against casement as well.

[Mickeys beard]

Whilst not being Gaa, IR showcases our best GAA athletes, is organised by the GAA, is inextricably linked to the GAA and will be attended by GAA fans.  Oh, and the Gaelic grounds is a GAA stadium.   

Does the GAA not do this without the IR?

I doubt that a Limerick Clare football match would half fill the gaelic grounds.
  Anyway, I live in Limerick, so it's walkin distance for me!

Thats handy for a party after...good man.

I don't think Mrs. Beard would be impressed.