Munster Simply Exploring Possibilities

An article in the Irish Examiner has caused a high degree of anger in GAA circles and prompted Munster Branch to issue a statement to clarify comments made at a breakfast briefing in Tralee.

An article in the Irish Examiner has caused a high degree of anger in GAA circles and prompted Munster Branch to issue a statement to clarify comments made at a breakfast briefing in Tralee.

The comments came from Munster Chief Executive Garrett Fitzgerald at a breakfast briefing in the Manor West Hotel in Tralee on Wednesday morning.

When questioned about stadium facilities in Munster, Fitzgerald stated that Munster were investigating several options and spoke of being approached by persons representing local interests in Killarney who suggested that Fitzgerald Stadium with it’s unique ownership status within the GAA framework, would provide the ideal venue for Munster games.

There was never any suggestion that the talks were anything other than totally informal and only worthy of discussion in the context that the GAA did not own the Killarney stadium.

Once ownership of the stadium had been fully defined by the GAA in a statement, Munster Branch immediately acknowledged this fact and issued the following statement to that effect.

The comments in today’s Irish Examiner in reference to Munster and Fitzgerald Stadium, originated from informal approaches made in the recent past to Munster by persons representing local interests in Killarney.

The suggestion made by those persons that Munster might use Fitzgerald Stadium, were only entertained because it was intimated that Fitzgerald Stadium enjoyed an unique ownership status.

Furthermore, Munster Branch stated at the forum quoted in today’s newspaper article, that it was only their intention to, “examine the possibility”, of Fitzgerald Stadium being an option, in the event of Munster requiring a suitable stadium within the province.

However the statement issued today (Thursday) by the GAA, in response to the Irish Examiner news article, clearly states that Fitzgerald Stadium does not enjoy a unique ownership status, is owned by the GAA.

Munster Branch totally accepts this, and that therefore the issue of use of Fitzgerald Stadium remains the sole control of the GAA.

Commenting, Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald said, ” We have unqualified respect for the GAA and its constituent clubs. We regret any misunderstanding that may have been caused and certainly would never be disrespectful of the organisation.”