The GAA are set to have another meeting about the Liam Miller memorial match.
The organisation’s Central Committee will convene a “special meeting” on Saturday to further discuss an issue that shouldn’t have required any discussion whatsoever. According to The Irish Times, the GAA are under pressure from the government to open the stadium for the charity game. The organisation was also widely condemned for their original stance regarding the match.
The GAA originally ignored calls for the game to be staged at Pairc UI Chaoimh, which has a capacity of 45,000, rather than at Tuner’s Cross, which holds just over 7,000.
They released a statement saying that they have to abide by their rules and could not alter their rules until a meeting of Congress, which doesn’t sit again until February 2019. Rule 5.1 of the GAA states that their property, other than Croke Park, can “be used only for the purpose of or in connection with the playing of games controlled by the Association.” They felt that a charity football match conflicted with this rule.
This drew widespread criticism of the GAA, who then had a meeting with the organisers of the memorial match to discuss the possibility of staging the game at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. After the meeting, the GAA said they will give the matter “further consideration.” It’s not yet clear if the GAA will make a decision on the matter on Saturday.
Miller was just 36 when he tragically passed away last February after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a widely-respected sporting figure in Cork, who represented the Republic of Ireland 21-times, and left behind a young family. The match is being staged to raise money for Marymount Hospice and the Miller family.
Several high-profile Manchester United, Ireland and Celtic legends are making the trip over for the game.
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