GAA to meet Minister over Croke Park funding

The GAA is to meet the Minister for Sport John O'Donoghue today to discuss €76

The GAA is to meet the Minister for Sport John O'Donoghue today to discuss €76.2 million of public funding pledged to Croke Park.

The money, pledged by the Government some 18 months ago, is understood to be in danger following the failure of plans for a National Stadium and the recent downturn in the economy.

The GAA is afraid the project to rebuild Hill 16 and the Nally Stand will be affected.

The initial amount was linked to a pledge by the GAA to provide the National Stadium with some 200,000 spectators on an annual basis.

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This would be done by holding Gaelic games in the Stadium.

The GAA however are reported to be wondering if state withdrawal of funding for the Stadium means GAA spectators are no longer needed.

It is thought the Government may attempt to link payment of the grant with a decision by the GAA to allow non-GAA sports to be played in Croke Park.