Donal Óg Cusack launched an impassioned attack on the nature of the GAA's capital expenditure ahead of the clash of his native Cork and Kilkenny at the rebranded SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Cork's debt on their stadium redevelopment exceeds €30m and the RTÉ hurling analyst has questioned the impact of the debt on players and grassroots structures.
"Of course it's very presentable tonight, the field is looking great, but in reality though, there's a huge millstone been left around Cork's neck.
"We're talking €30m. How much has gone into the stadium, will we ever know how much was actually spent on it?
"You can't tell me that's not going to Cork players in the future."
The former Rebel County goalkeeper added: "It's a bigger issue with the GAA. You have to look at the amount of stadiums that we have.
"Has anyone ever done an occupancy analysis on it?
"We have way too many stadiums, we're investing loads of money in stadiums and there's loads of proposals.
"I heard recently that there are 22 proposals that people are talking about for new stadiums."
Fireworks before throw-in at Páirc Uí Chaoimh - apologies - make that SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Jackie Tyrrell and Dónal Óg Cusack put the hurling world and the GAA to rights ahead of the league clash between Cork and Kilkenny. #RTEGAA pic.twitter.com/idNtjPrgGU
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) February 10, 2024
Cusack believes those at HQ have major issues to address and questions to answer, asking: "When is the GAA going to take responsibility? They're the people that have driven all of this.
"It was the GAA that decided to rebuild Croke Park, it was the GAA that decided to put the names on the jerseys, it was the GAA that decided to sell the television rights.
"It would remind you of the Tories in the UK, blame everyone else and blaming the immigrants for their mistakes. When are we going to see Tom Ryan with a report and saying 'I'm taking responsibility for this and I'm taking responsibility for this stadium'?
"The GAA and Croke Park are every bit as responsible as Cork for the debt that is here. They all approved it.
"Tom Ryan is finance director since 2007. All of these proposals, where Cork told them whoppers in terms of what this stadium was going to pay back. One of those whoppers being that this was going to be a centre of excellence.
"While I say this is a nice stadium to come tonight to watch a game, it's like going into some couple's home where they've got a nice front room, but they've got no dinner on the table. Because you can't tell me that this isn't going to impact Cork players into the future."
