Suggestion of fan zone in Cork City for All-Ireland final sparks political row

He said everyone would like to see it happen but he said it should be left to city officials to organise.

But Ms Gould hit back at his party and Fine Gael for voting down the chance to debate her proposal.

“This wasn’t political,” she said. “I came at this from a GAA fan’s point of view. I don’t care how it happens. It just needs to happen.

“Everyone was in the room, and we could have bounced a few ideas around. But I didn’t get the response I’d hoped. It seems Fianna Fáil was caught on the hop and the only option was to attack Sinn Féin.” 

Ms Gould sought a suspension of standing orders to discuss her motion that the council would organise a “family-friendly fan zone viewing area” in the city for the All-Ireland hurling final against Clare on July 21, and engage with the Cork County Board on the possibility of using Páirc Uí Chaoimh or Páirc Uí Rinn as a fan zone.

A vote was called, with 20 required to debate the motion but only 15 councillors voted in favour, which prevented a debate.

Council chief executive, Ann Doherty, said officials have “reached out” to the county board about the fan zone idea, and about a team homecoming ceremony, and is awaiting a response.

Ms Gould said she will continue to put pressure on council to organise it.    

Last July, the council worked with the Munster Football Association to host a free Women’s World Cup watch party event at Turner’s Cross stadium for the Ireland v Canada fixture.

Toll barriers

Separately, Senator Tim Lombard said the toll barriers at Laois should be lifted at key hours on All-Ireland hurling final day to ensure there is no repeat of the toll plaza tailbacks which delayed fans attending Sunday’s semi-final.

“We can’t have a repeat of this in two weeks’ time for Cork and Clare fans,” he said.

“We need a proper plan put in place by the toll operators to prevent bigger delays.” 

He said all barriers should be lifted for northbound traffic from 10am until 2.30pm and from 5.30pm until 10.30pm to allow southbound fans a quicker journey back home.

MidLink M7/M8 Ltd was appointed by Celtic Roads Group (Portlaoise) Ltd to manage toll collection at the M7/M8 Toll Plaza in Laois, as part of a 30-year public-private partnership scheme, until 2037 when it reverts to public ownership.