Fitzgerald Stadium

Council rejects call for other sports in stadium
BY IAN HOWARD

A PROPOSAL to launch a political campaign to open up Killarney’s GAA headquarters Fitzgerald Stadium to other sports has been emphatically rejected by Killarney Town Council.

Cllr Tom Doherty got little support for his motion which, he maintained, would have been of great benefit to the GAA, other sporting codes and the entire community.

Only Cllr Seán Counihan, a former Kerry team selector, voted in favour of the proposal when it was raised at town council level.

Cllr Dohery said an example could be taken from the action of Cork GAA kingpins Nemo Rangers who allowed the Munster rugby team to use their facilities for preparations ahead of their recent Heineken Cup quarterfinal clash.

The GAA sought clarification following the incident but Cllr Doherty has said that type of reaction belongs in the past.

"Time moves on. Opening up Fitzgerald Stadium would be hugely advantageous for all concerned," he told The Kingdom.

"We are seeing inter-county GAA players losing their jobs and some of these players are emigrating which is going to damage a lot of inter-county teams and the GAA as a result. Those players could benefit out of the extra money the GAA would generate as a result of opening up the stadium," he said.

"Likewise the GAA would increase revenue and keep players by possibly offering them employment opportunities. They could also direct some of this money towards training in national schools which would help safeguard the GAA’s future."



Cllr Doherty said keeping GAA facilities closed to other codes was justified in the past but he now believes a more modern approach to the situation is in order.

"Such an approach was right when Ireland was fighting for its freedom but now an alternative approach is needed. I think we are all proud to be Irish now and we don’t need to be making gestures to protect our heritage, language and our sport," he stated.

"All great facilities we have can be shared and I don’t think our founding fathers and the founding fathers of the GAA would have anything to fear by this," Cllr Doherty remarked.

He said he was annoyed by the Nemo Rangers controversy and he insists the GAA should be concerning themselves with more pressing issues.

"To see the club getting hassled by the organisation to which it has contributed so much to just because the Munster rugby team trained in their facilities was absolutely ridiculous," he stated.

Cllr Doherty said opening up Fitzgerald Stadium would create significant employment opportunities in Killarney due to the influx of people attending extra events being held there.

"GAA stadia throughout the country are being under utilised. If Fitzgerald Stadium was to hold a sporting event of a different nature, Killarney would gain additional tourism as could GAA grounds around the country. This could lead to job opportunities in Killarney and elsewhere," he said.

The Kingdom Newspaper