Cork’s Páirc Uí Chaoimh could be renamed SuperValu Páirc if a sponsorship deal is ratified by County Board delegates this evening. 

As the headline sponsor of Cork GAA under the deal, the stadium will be renamed after the retail giant to reflect their financial contribution of a reported €1 million. 

The association is heavily in debt and last month Cork GAA CEO Kevin O'Donovan described it as a “cloud over the association”.  

“You’ll see we invested over €2 million in our county teams this year - our spending went up by 25% on our county teams,” he told Off The Ball. 

“So, it’s not affecting the day-to-day activities [but] for the board and the officers it is a daily task to address the debt.”

All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Semi-Final Replay, Dublin v Cork at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork. Picture credit: Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

Cork GAA now has a 25 year repayment plan in place but Mr O’Donovan said the stadium “needs to break even”. 

“We feel we can generate that €1.2 million a year in profit and pay it off over the long-term,” he said. 

“We mustn't disenfranchise our teams because the best way of making the stadium a success is All-Irelands and the best way of paying back the debt is All-Irelands.” 

An historic name

Páirc Uí Chaoimh was named after GAA Director General Pádraig Ó Caoimh, who led for organisation for more than three decades. 

In a post on Twitter/X, Lord Mayor of Cork Kieran McCarthy said the decision was a “sad” day for those who value the county’s history. 

“Place, history and memory matter in Cork,” he wrote. 

“[I am] sad to hear the memory of Pádraig Ó Caoimh v[ery] much eliminated; Corkonian, IRA volunteer & 35 years developing the GAA in the early Irish Free State; a huge legacy left; his story still matters; rethink on renaming.”

The stadium at Páirc Uí Chaoimh dates back to 1904.

Main image: Páirc Uí Chaoimh GAA stadium. Picture by: Alamy.com