The redeveloped Croke Park is an awe-inspiring sporting arena which is the envy of every other sporting organisation in the country. To coincide with the redevelopment, the Croke Park Stadium Executive Committee was set up to oversee the day-to-day running of the Jones' Road venue, and a key member of this voluntary body since its formation in 2001 has been local man Dave Mackey. The recent decision to open up Croke Park to soccer and rugby is set to reap millions of euro for the GAA. But it will be a good few years yet before the huge debt on the stadium is cleared according to Croke Park Stadium Executive Committee member Dave Mackey, who has resided in Drumaughra near Cavan Town, since 1988. "It's difficult to say when exactly the debt will be wiped out, but I'd estimate that it could take another eight or nine years," he says. "We've just concluded a deal with the IRFU and the FAI that will generate valuable income for us. We're generating very good income outside of match days at the moment and we have the debt under control. But it will be a while yet before we are completely debt free." The Croke Park Executive Committee, which is a voluntary body, was established five years ago following a strategic review of the GAA. It comprises well known businessmen and GAA officials, including Mackey who, in his professional life, is Chief Executive of the Cavan-based construction firm P Elliott & Co Ltd. The Executive Committee has full responsibility for the day-to-day running of Croke Park, the management of the debt and the development of the GAA's extensive property portfolio around the stadium. Dave was appointed as its first chairman in 2001 and held the position up until recently when he was succeeded by his close friend and colleague, Hugh Cawley. Dave has remained a member of the Executive Committee and continues to take an active part in all of its activities. There are currently 12 members of the Executive Committee and they are: Sean Kelly, Liam Mulvihill, Brendan Watters, Liam O'Neill, Chris Kane, Hugh Cawley, Tommy Moran, Nickey Brennan, Christy Cooney, Paddy Wright, John O'Reilly and Dave Mackey. Kelly, Mulvihill, Moran, O'Neill, Brennan and Cooney are among the leading GAA officials in the country, while the remaining members are successful businessmen as well as avid GAA fans. The new Executive Committee chairman, Hugh Cawley, is currently Director of the DIT Educational Trust and Head of Change Management, and was previously General Manager of AIB Retail Banking. Mackey is a native of Letterkenny where he played colleges football with St. Eunan's. On completing his education, he spent over 22 years in the Local Government service, during which time his positions included Town Clerk of Buncrana, Kinsale and Letterkenny Town Councils; Director of Donegal Regional Development Organisation; County Secretary and Assistant Manager of South Tipperary County Council and Manager of Cavan County Council. In 1989, Dave joined the Quinn Group with whom he worked for 10 years. He was Group General Manager for six years, followed by four years as Group Chief Executive. The Quinn Group is one of Ireland's leading business concerns involved in the manufacture of cement, container glass and radiators as well as insurance, hotels and public houses. The Quinn family is synonymous with the GAA and Dave attributes his involvement in the Croke Park Stadium Executive Committee to Peter Quinn, whose foresight and vision during his term as GAA president led to the redevelopment of the stadium. In late 1999, Mackey linked up with the Elliott family to form Flag Properties which has gone from strength to strength since then and is now one of the leading property development companies in the country. Dave also holds the position of Chief Executive of the Elliott family business (P Elliott & Co Ltd) which is one of Ireland's top 10 construction and development companies. He is a non executive Director of EirGrid Plc, Chairman of the Central Fisheries Board, a Director of Co Cavan Enterprise Fund Company and a Director of Cavan Credit Union. Two years ago, he was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws by the National University of Ireland. Dave is married to Marian, whose legal practice in Cavan is O'Donovan Mackey Solicitors. They have three children - twins David and Catherine, who are students at UCD and Edinburgh University respectively, and Edward, who will sit his Leaving Cert in June. Dave recalls that the Croke Park Stadium Executive Committee's first undertaking was to appoint a Stadium Director. This position was filled by Peter McKenna, who has been very successful in the role according to the affable Donegal man. "Peter has revelled in the role of Stadium Director and has proven to be an excellent appointment. But he would be the first to admit that it has been a great team effort. Our Financial Controller Debra Kavanagh, Commercial Manager Linda McCoy, Event Controller Seamus Meade and Museum Manager Joanne Clarke have all played their part in the smooth running of the stadium," he says. Even without soccer or rugby, Croke Park was a constant hive of activity in 2005. A record 1.32 million spectators filed through the turnstiles to watch 28 football and hurling fixtures, 11 of which were national and provincial finals. The opening of Hill 16, which was completed EUR6 million under budget, marked the completion of the stadium's redevelopment which began with the demolition of the old Cusack Stand the day after the All-Ireland football final between Derry and Cork in 1993. Construction of the new Jury's Croke Park Hotel was completed without any need for borrowing, while the three U2 concerts were complete sell-outs. Other developments at the stadium last year were the opening of new spectator and players bars/lounges; the refurbishment of the premium level bars; the installation of the biggest big screen in Europe at the Hill 16 End; the resale of premium level seating in the Cusack Stand, the installation of new advertising rollers and the awarding of the stadium's food and drink franchise to Fitzers. Mackey is predicting another bumper year for Croke Park in 2006. "Our objective for the coming year is to get the maximum use out of the stadium and to continue to improve our facilities. We are trying to further develop the corporate image of the stadium and are currently preparing a detailed strategic report. We are planning to install full floodlighting as well as a second big screen. Also, we intend to develop a proper media room, carry out improvements to the museum and hold more concerts." Next year, Croke Park will open its doors to other sports for the first time and this historic step will undoubtedly help to offset the huge debt on the stadium. "Croke Park is something all Irish people can feel proud of and I feel very honoured to have been a part of the process that has taken us to this stage. It is a wonderful, world-class facility and a great showpiece for the country. The GAA deserve every credit for providing the people of Ireland with such a marvellous facility," he proudly concludes. Tweet

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