Why renaming GAA grounds is such a big deal

Analysis: selling naming rights to a stadium may be a commercial winner, but such deals have lasting effects on GAA history and heritage

Cork GAA's proposal to sell the naming rights of their county ground Páirc Uí Chaoimh to SuperValu has caused much debate, controversy and confusion. The venue is one of the association's landmark grounds, named after former GAA director general Pádraig Ó Caoimh who led the GAA for 35 years.

The idea of Ó Chaoimh's legacy being set aside for a grocery shop has sent GAA observers into overdrive. Indeed, you could say the widespread public commentary has ensured the supermarket chain has already got returns on advertising before the deal has been sealed. As many have noted, the real controversy with the situation is not solely about the rebranding, but how Cork GAA allowed itself to get into €30 million of debt in the first place.

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From RTÉ Radio 1's Today With Claire Byrne, is Cork's historic Páirc Uí Chaoimh about to be renamed?

The first naming rights deal for a county ground came in 2002 when Breffni Park in Cavan became known as Kingspan Breffni. Cavan GAA were also outliers in being the first to sell the naming rights to a club ground when the Gowna club agreed a deal in 2021 that saw their grounds rebranded as ClubSpot Park.

Recent years have brought major changes in the market for naming rights and, as of now, 17 of the 32 county GAA grounds have corporate names. While naming rights have grown more widespread, there is no way to