A number of sections of the Croke Park stadium were re-named today at a special ceremony, presided over by out-going GAA President Sean Kelly, the President elect Nickey Brennan and the Association's Director General Liam Mulvihill.
The ceremony at headquarters saw former Presidents' Maurice Davin, Frank Dineen (also a former General Secretary of the Association) and former Secretaries Luke O'Toole, Padraig Ó Caoimh and Sean Ó Síocháin remembered for their various roles in the development of the Association.
The Nally Terrace (on the site of the old Nally Stand) was re-dedicated to the memory of P.W. Nally, while the Media Centre in the Hogan Stand has been named in memory of the famous RTE broadcaster Mícheál Ó Hehir.
The full list of areas dedicated was as follows:
Davin Stand (formerly the Canal End):
- Named in honour of Maurice Davin, the first President of the GAA and one of its founding members.
Dineen/Hill 16 Terrace:
- Frank B Dineen purchased what is now Croke Park in 1908 at a time when the GAA could not afford to do so and sold it to the Association in 1913. He remains the only man to have served as both President and Secretary of the Association.
Nally Terrace:
- Located at the Northern End of the ground on the site of the old Nally Stand (between Hill 16 and the Hogan Stand), PW Nally was a major influence on Cusack and the founding fathers of the Association until his death in prison in 1891.
Ó Síochán Suite (in the Cusack Stand):
- Formerly known as the Ashe Suite, this function room was named in honour of Seán Ó Síochán who served as Secretary and Director General of the Association between 1954 and 1979.
Seomra Uí Chaoimh (Central Council meeting room):
- Named in honour of Padraig O Caoimh – Secretary of the Association for thirty five years from 1929 to 1964.
Seomra Uí Thuathail (Management Committee meeting room):
- Luke O'Toole was a former Secretary of the Association from 1901 to 1929 and played a major role in the GAA's decision to develop Croke Park after its purchase in 1913.
O Hehir Media Centre:
- Dedicated to the memory of Mícheál O Hehir, the legendary commentator who covered 99 All-Ireland finals - in both hurling and football - between 1938 and 1985.