'Disappointing and shameful' - Online outrage as new name for iconic GAA headquarters proposed

A naming rights deal is set to be presented to Cork County Board delegates this evening as a change in the iconic name Páirc Uí Chaoimh is on the cards.

First reported in the Irish Examiner on Monday, a report revealed a multi-layered naming rights deal for the landmark GAA headquarters worth nearly €300,000 a year to Cork GAA.

Title sponsor Supervalu will have first choice in the historic re-naming and have subsequently come up with....Supervalu Park.

Boston Scientific, PepsiCo and Statkraft also have subsidiary stadium branding privileges as part of the package that is believed to be worth €1m for the next three years.

The iconic headquarters was named after former GAA director general Pádraig Ó Caoimh who led the GAA for 35 years.

Pádraig's grandson Dónal, told the Irish Examiner he was "deeply shocked and saddened" at the proposed new name and that nobody had contacted him from the GAA to tell him of the new name that was being considered.

Dónal isn't the only one disappointed at this proposed name change, Tánaiste Michael Martin said he was "deeply disappointed and annoyed", adding that "Pádraig Uí Chaoimh was a key figure in the formation of the GAA at club and national level".

Deeply disappointed & annoyed at the proposal to change the name of Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Pádraig Uí Chaoimh was a key figure in the formation of the GAA at club and national level.

Govt allocated €30m towards the development of the stadium and never sought naming rights.

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 16, 2024

GAA fans were also quick to comment on social media when the news broke to air their grievances on the new proposed new name.

SuperValu Páirc has a ring to it all right, the ring of desperation in Cork GAA https://t.co/sEjoRBUiaH

— Michael O'Regan (@Michael_O_Regan) January 16, 2024

SuperValu Park. Disgusting. It’s shameful when sponsors pull this kind of stunt.

— A (@repealtheGRA_) January 16, 2024

Others were quick to defend the new proposed name change, likening it to when the Grand Canal Theatre was changed to the Bord Gáis and most people claimes the name would never catch on.

Remember when they named a theatre in Dublin after Bord Gais? Ppl said they'd continue to use the old name. They didn't. I had to Google it to find what it had been called (Grand Canal Theatre). Asking what Supervalu Park was previously called will be a quiz q in a few years.

— John Finn (@carrigman) January 16, 2024