GAA confirms Liam Miller fundraiser will go ahead at Pairc Ui Chaoimh

A Liam Miller fundraiser featuring an Ireland/Celtic XI and a Manchester United XI will take place at Páirc Uí Chaoimh after organisers reached agreement with the GAA to make the stadium available.

The tribute game was originally scheduled for the 7,000-seater Turner's Cross, the home of Cork City, but the original allocation sold out within minutes, prompting calls for the match to be switched to a higher-capacity venue in the city.

The GAA had originally claimed it would be impossible to hold the game in the Cork GAA stadium – which was recently refurbished at the cost of €80 million, 30 million of which came from government funds.

Rule 42 of the Gaelic Athletic Association code prohibits the use of Gaelic grounds for field sports other than those under the association's purview unless expressly sanctioned by the Central Council.

As the Central Council is not set to meet again until February, and the fundraiser is scheduled for September, the GAA said its hands were tied.

However the Gaelic association has found a workaround whereby a hurling match will be played on the same day as the fundraiser, therefore allowing the non-Gaelic game to take place.

Former Celtic. Manchester United, Cork City and Ireland player Liam Miller passed away in February following a battle with pancreatic cancer four days short of his 37th birthday.

A GAA statement read: “The GAA and the Organising Committee of the Liam Miller Tribute Match can confirm that following meetings of the GAA’s Management Committee and Central Council, the event will take place at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday September 25th.

"In agreement with the Committee the day will also include a GAA event in advance of the Tribute Match. The details will be finalised in the coming weeks.

"Further information relating to arrangements and ticketing for the game - including those purchased already for Turner’s Cross - will be finalised at a meeting of the Committee and Cork GAA on Monday and made public shortly afterwards.



"The GAA would like to wish the family of Liam Miller and the organisers every success in their efforts. The Committee of the Liam Miller Tribute Match would like to thank the GAA for their support with this event."