Croke Park cancel charity GAA match in Mayo

Hope House were to benefit from the game featuring the likes of Willie Joe Padden, Oisin McConville and Joe Brolly on Saturday but the game in Knockmore has had to be cancelled after a row with HQ.

You may remember that last year a charity game was held just before the All Ireland final in Mayo, featuring an All-Star cast of former players, all in aid of Cystic Fybrosis. The game was such a success that it was planned to hold another one this year, this time in aid of Hope House in Foxford, a residency for those battling various addiction problems.

A hugely impressive line up was scheduled to attend, with the likes of Willie Joe Padden togging out again for a Mayo selection, who would play a Rest of Ireland team stuffed with stars like Shane Curran, Joe Brolly, Ciaran Whelan and Oisin McConville to name just a few.

But just a few days before throw-in, the game has been cancelled. Initially Knockmore stated on their Facebook page last night that the game was cancelled due to 'circumstances beyond their control' but today a post on their website reveals that Croke Park had a hand in pulling the plug.

“Permission was given for the same game last year," said organiser Eddie McHale. "Permission was initially granted for this year's game. We were subsequently informed by Croke Park that permission was being revoked because the wording on the event poster suggested the game was being organised and run by Hope House and that Knockmore’s pitch and facilities was being loaned to them. When our secretary and committee members contacted Croke park to point out that this was not the case and the game was being organised by the club and it’s members and that the proceeds were merely going to a local charity we met a brick wall. Croke Park maintained it’s position."

McHale went on to have strong words about Croke Park.

"The way we have been treated reinforces the feeling of our members that there are two GAA’s, the community based GAA working for the benefit of local people and the corporate GAA at Croke Park."

Here is the poster for the event.

Of course, we contacted Croke Park for their side of the story but the folks in the Communications department have yet to get back to us.

People can still donate to Hope House, and this is the link to their site.

UPDATE: In a statement posted in the Irish Examiner on the cancelled match, the GAA's Alan Milton said:

“The GAA can confirm its public liability and player injury scheme did not extend to cover a proposed charity match in Knockmore this weekend.

“Despite this fixture being planned for six months the first notification received by the Association at central level was one week ago.

“At that juncture full details about the event, including the installation of a marquee – which would require public liability — were not provided.

“The event was being organised for the benefit of a third party charity that was assuming no risk and despite assurances that other bodies were willing to provide cover for the event, evidence of same was never provided.

“The GAA, along with its units, invests significant amounts on an annual basis to cover those involved as players and spectators in our core activities.

“It regrets the inconvenience caused to all involved but stresses that public liability and player injury cover should have been amongst the first considerations in the initial planning process.”