LIMERICK G.A.A. IN FOR €1.5 MILLION WINDFALL

Limerick G.A.A. could be in for a windfall of as much as €1.5 million over ten years if plans and negotiations to sell the naming rights of the Gaelic Grounds are brought to a successful conclusion.

Confirming that nego-tiations and discussions are ongoing, County Board secretary Michael O’Riordan said this week: “We have made pre-sentations to a number of companies and they have been favourably received. We are finalising a full proposal as there are a number of interested parties.”

Any deal could be worth up to €150,000 a year for ten years, and any agree-ment would see the Gaelic Grounds or Páirc na nGael incorporated in any new designation.

There has been con-siderable investment in the Gaelic Grounds in recent years and, as the country’s third largest G.A.A. Stadium after Croke Park and Semple Stadium, Thurles, it is now a very attractive proposition to would-be advertisers. The stadium has hosted some huge games in recent years including Munster finals and semi-finals, an All-Ireland senior football semi-final and many important National League games, and next month it will stage the Limerick v Tipperary Munster senior hurling semi-final and possibly a month later the Munster final if Limerick and Cork qualify.

Mr. O’Riordan expressed optimism that a deal might be in place as early as January 1st 2016.