Tickets for the Liam Miller testimonial match went on sale this morning...and sold out within minutes. The game is taking place at the 7,000-capacity Turner's Cross rather than the far larger Páirc Ui Chaoimh owing to the GAA rulebook: rule 42 extended to opening up only Croke Park to 'foreign' sport; the opening up of any other ground is subject to a rule change that would have to be ratified at Congress.
Organisers confirmed that they had sought to host the game at the newly-developed GAA ground, but were told by the Cork County Board that their hands were tied in red tape.
The game is going ahead at the smaller venue, although there has been a big public outcry against the decision. Cork's Daniel Goulding told Balls yesterday of his disappointment at the decision.
It's a great event to raise funds for the family. Not to be able to have it in as big a venue as possible in Cork is disappointing. The demand for it is going to be absolutely huge. The tickets are probably going to sell out in five minutes.
In fairness, the county board said they tried to facilitate it but the rules from Croke Park just said no.
It's a soccer game, if that's the issue... Look, really, it's a charity event. I suppose that's the sad thing. It's a very important charity event as well.
That's the rule that they're using. It's disappointing - I'm sure they'll get a huge crowd at Cork City but you'd like to have see 40,000 there.
It would have been great for the country if it could have been on there given the talent he was and such a good player and the impact he had for Ireland.
Some people from the world of Irish football have been critical too: Andy Reid didn't mince his words on Twitter.
Scandalous the Gaa wouldn’t allow the use of Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the Liam miller memorial match, Liam represented ireland from u15 all the way up to senior level and gave everything, shocking!!! No problem having Garth brooks or Neil diamond play Croker tho😏
— Andy Reid (@AndyReidXI) July 19, 2018
On his Instagram page, Irish legend Paul McGrath chimed with the consensus. "Isn't it sad that the GAA didn't allow the family of a Cork son Liam Miller hold his memorial match at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Liam gave 110% to his country from under age all the way up senior level. #disappointing".
