The GAA do not have any chance but to deny Liam Miller's memorial from taking place at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, according to former Mayo player David Brady.
The comments come in the aftermath of the organisation saying that the Cork venue cannot be used for any 'foreign' sports, according to Chapter 5 of the Association's code of conduct, as below:
Brady was primarily sympathetic to Miller's family and friends, and agreed wholeheartedly with the ethos behind the memorial match - designed as it is to fundraise for his widow and children.
However, Brady believes that the rules ratified at the last GAA Congress cannot be moved to accommodate the situation in Cork, as it
"The emotive part of it is that nobody is saying that [the refusal] is right and that it shouldn't be allowed. But I have to say that if there are rules, then there were opportunities to mitigate against certain situations like this and to say that we can open up on an occasion like this. It's disappointing from an Irish context - whether it is rugby soccer, GAA or not involved .
"But I have to say that I do see that rules are rules. Congress needs to overturn this decision. There is no Congress coming up, unfortunately, in the next few weeks. Would it be the best decision for Croke Park to say they got it wrong? It is not the Newbridge scenario again, but again it is all emotional. The PR is not positive towards Croke Park."
"The rules are the rules. It is hard to just say that we will go day by day and change what is stipulated in Congress and in the GAA rule book."
However, the situation still has some room for development, as the GAA's own rules seem to allow for a potential resolution whereby the match is hosted in Páirc Uí Chaoimh:
GAA RULE 5.1
“Uses of Property (a) All property including grounds, Club Houses, Halls, Dressing Rooms and Handball Alleys owned or controlled by units of the Association shall be used only for the purpose of or in connection with the playing of the Games controlled by the Association, and for such other purposes not in conflict with the Aims and Objects of the Association, that may be sanctioned from time to time by the Central Council.
We will keep you updated as to developments in the situation.
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