O'Dea Calls For Rugby At Gaelic Grounds

tommy249

O’Dea scrums for Gaelic Grounds Written by Marie Hobbins and Andrew Carey Thursday, 26 February 2009 09:37 THE ball has been thrown back into the court of rugby and GAA authorities, with Defence Minister, Willie O’Dea, taking time out from his visit to Chad, to contact the Limerick Post, to lend his weight for a possible Munster Heineken Cup semi-final, to be played at the 49,000 capacity Gaelic Grounds. Speaking to the Limerick Post from Chad, where he is visiting the Irish Troops, Mr O’Dea said: that as a minister of a government that has been extremely generous to the GAA, he would like to see the organisation “short-circuiting the process involved in securing the Ennis Road stadium for the match.
“The GAA authorities in Limerick should press to further this and I’d be right behind them - I will talk to the GAA when I return from Chad. To have the match played in the Gaelic Grounds would offer double the capacity of Thomond Park, and would be a great boon to the Limerick economy at the moment, generating countless millions of euro”. An informed source close to Munster Rugby has confirmed to this newspaper that should the County Board indicate a willingness to host such a fixture, the ERC (governing body of European Rugby) could make a ruling in favour of Limerick. Of course, all hinges on the result of the Munster v Ospreys quarter final.
“The rules say that you can’t host the game at your traditional home ground, but at a neutral venue deemed suitable by the ERC, but the precedent is there, as it occurred in 2005, when Leicester and Stade Francais each hosted semi-final games in their respective cities”.
With Mayor John Gilligan and City Hall executives backing the move, Sean Lally, Limerick Chamber president, estimates that a semi-final switch to the Gaelic Grounds could generate 16million euro to the local economy.
“This could be the difference between businesses staying open and available to continue to trade. Having the game in Limerick, in a stadium that can hold double the capacity of Thomond Park, could bring up to 16 million euro to a much needed economy. Bars, restaurants shops and hotels, they all get a piece of the action, and that is exactly what the city needs. If visitors and supporters stayed for even one or two nights the benefits could be seen. We have seen some 1,900 jobs lost at the Dell plant and the fall out from other services continues The city needs a major boost and this could be it”.
While a prominent city GAA stalwart has serious reservations about the switch, other GAA supporters have told this newspaper that although enthusiastic for such a move, they are sceptical that the organisation will take it on board.

keane2097

Personally, I'm immediately inclined to dissagree with anything Willy O'Dea ever says...

An Citeog

Let Munster play in the Gaelic Grounds or else...

Browney7

Can't see it happening even though I would love to see it there tbh.

Might even sell it out for the first time if it happens but the fact that there is no lights might give the erc an excuse to say no but as I said I can't see it happening

Grudaire

Hang on, it was just Croke Park a minute ago....

Raiser

Willie O'Dea calls for a lynching.

Declan30

I used to admire willie a lot but the way he has carried on with the goverment over the last few months is a disgrace.
I think he just talks so much waffle these days.That anything he says anymore people just say ah it is willie trying to be heard again.

will1977

He's just looking for publicity, typical politition :rolleyes:
Croke park is already decided

An Citeog

Did anyone actually read the article?

If Munster make it through to the Heineken Cup semi-final, they wont be allowed to host it at Thomond Park. Limerick is the home of Munster rugby and, to me at least, it would make perfect sense to host it in the Gaelic Grounds if the ERC approves it as a suitable venue. Limerick has been hit particularly hard by the economic downturn and although Willie O'Dea is a fan of the aul' hyperbole, I agree with his sentiments. Where else could it be played?

For anyone that's against the idea, what are your reasons?

premierstone

An Citeog wrote: »

Did anyone actually read the article?

If Munster make it through to the Heineken Cup semi-final, they wont be allowed to host it at Thomond Park. Limerick is the home of Munster rugby and, to me at least, it would make perfect sense to host it in the Gaelic Grounds if the ERC approves it as a suitable venue. Limerick has been hit particularly hard by the economic downturn and although Willie O'Dea is a fan of the aul' hyperbole, I agree with his sentiments. Where else could it be played?

For anyone that's against the idea, what are your reasons?

Lets see, well Croke park has already been given the green light, its far and away a superior stadium, pitch, facilities.... everything really! And there is no way the official capacity of the Gaelic Grounds would be left at 49000 by the ERC and if the very likely semi final of Munster v Leinster transpires every extra ticket will be needed.

Bit slow off the mark Willie, why didnt he propose this before Croke Park was approved as the venue and besides what teh fcuk has it got to do with him??