SENIOR GAA officials are expected to agree today to allow a tribute soccer match for former Ireland international Liam Miller be played at its Cork ground after an apparent compromise was reached.
Management of the organisation met last night and are reported to have a agreed that the match can go ahead at its 45,000-capacity Páirc Uí Chaoimh - alongside a fundraiser for seriously injured GAA players.
Miller (36) died in February from cancer and proceeds from the testimonial, between Manchester United Legends XI and a Glasgow Celtic/Republic of Ireland XI, had been earmarked for his widow Clare, their three young children and Marymount Hospice in Cork where he died.
The tournament, which features marquee names including Miller's former Manchester United team-mates Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand, sold out the city's 7,300-seater soccer venue Turner's Cross in minutes.
The GAA has come under pressure to open up its ground from senior political figures, including Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.
It originally insisted it was prevented by its constitution from hosting `foreign' games in its stadiums and this could only be changed at the annual congress, which is not until February.
However, it appears the 15-member management committee, which includes the president, director general and four provincial chairmen, has agreed to recommend the game be played at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, after a special GAA `challenge game', with a share of the proceeds going to a fund for seriously injured Gaelic games players.
This is likely to be backed by the central council today.
