Cork county board confirmed that no final decision has been taken regarding the naming rights for the stadium that has been known throughout its history as Páirc Uí Chaoimh, following a behind-closed-doors meeting of delegates on Tuesday evening.
On Monday evening it was reported by the Irish Examiner that retail giants SuperValu will assume the maiden rights for an initial five years in a deal worth up to €1.5m that could see the home of Cork GAA renamed SuperValu Páirc.
A statement released after the county board meeting on Tuesday read: "Cork GAA can confirm that it is in discussions with SuperValu regarding the naming rights for Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
"While no matter had been finalised prior to the meeting of delegates to the county board on Tuesday evening, both sides have been conscious of the public debate that followed recent speculation in the media.
"SuperValu and Cork GAA remain committed to continuing their engagement, as both parties share a common interest in supporting Gaelic games across the county, and discussions are continuing."
Earlier in the day, Cork Lord Mayor Cllr Kieran McCarthy expressed his hope that a compromise could be found to allow Páirc Uí Chaoimh remain as part of the name for the iconic GAA venue on Leeside.
Dropping the name of the man - Pádraig Ó Caoimh, former GAA director general - after whom Páirc Uí Chaoimh was named, has already been met with disapproval, with Ó Caoimh's grandson Dónal stating that grandfather had a dream of inclusivity and he wanted a GAA pitch in every parish.
He said that he was in no way against the sponsorship but added that he disagreed with Padraig O'Caoimh’s name being removed completely.
Speaking on Drivetime on RTÉ Radio 1, he added: "I'm shocked and saddened that SuperValu would consider making the eradication of my grandfather’s legacy a condition of sponsorship.
"He (Padraig O'Caoimh) meant so much to so many people".
Tánaiste Micheál Martin was also among those criticising the proposal to change the name, the Cork North Central TD saying he was "deeply disappointed and annoyed" by the plans.
"Pádraig Uí Chaoimh was a key figure in the formation of the GAA at club and national level," Martin tweeted.
"Govt allocated €30m towards the development of the stadium and never sought naming rights."
Mixed reaction to proposed name change in Cork
Speaking on Today with Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio 1, Cllr McCarthy, while welcoming the sponsorship felt Pádraig Ó Caoimh's contribution to the GAA and to Cork could not be sacrificed in the proposed name change.
"To me, the sponsorship element is really, really welcome but the name Páirc Uí Chaoimh is really synonymous with Cork and there is also a massive history and heritage behind this man," he said.
"Pádraig Ó Caoimh led the GAA for 35 years, a man who grew the grassroots of clubs across the country, so there is a massive history there."
Cllr McCarthy went on to tell listeners a bit more about the revered GAA official.
"He was originally from Roscommon, moved to Cork when he was a child. Ó Caoimh later became involved in the Irish War of Independence, was interned, would have known people like Tomás Mac Curtain and Terence MacSwiney in terms of Cork War of Independence heritage.
"In his 20s he became secretary of Cork GAA and then in 1929 moved up to be the national secretary of the GAA - a post he held for 35 year. It was during that time that he grew the club base to 3,500 clubs. He died in 1964, with the stadium named in his honour opening a decade later. He left a massive legacy."
Preserving that legacy is foremost in Cllr McCarthy's view, in a city where he says few are remembered with physical structures.
"I find the debate that is unfolding today; it's not just about the sponsorship, SuperValu do fantastic sponsorship right across the country, they sponsor the National Tidy Towns. The conundrum is on civic pride, civic history, and civic memory. That is really important. Cork people and Irish people right across the country are very proud of our local history and local heritage.
"I give walking tours around Cork City and I know the pride amongst local people. In Cork we don't really name places after people that much in our history. Usually it's the Lough, the Marina or the College. To get yourself named in Cork is a big thing."
A satisfactory outcome is what Cllr McCarthy is hoping for, and would not like to see the potential sponsors walk away.
"If it was SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh or Páirc Uí Chaoimh with SuperValu, that would be fantastic. SuperValu Páirc is not right, and there is nothing wrong with the name SuperValu. Cork people are proud of Páirc Uí Chaoimh; it is the colosseum of sport in Cork city.
"If you're lucky you get to play in this colosseum; it just means a lot to people. I think we have to be careful what we do next and I wouldn't like any potential sponsors to walk away because of the quandary. Hopefully a compromise will be found."
