Is it safe to mention the words 'Garth', 'Brooks', 'Irish' and 'Gig' yet?
We know, we know - it's been a couple of years since #Garthgate, but the wounds are still fresh, maaan.
However, fans who were hoping to see the country music star play on Irish soil in the near future may have something to look forward to, if the Lord Mayor of Cork is to be believed.
According to The Irish Times, Des Cahill (not that one) said on the Neil Prendiville Show on Cork's Red FM this morning that negotiations were underway to bring Brooks to Páirc Ui Chaoimh in June and Adele in July, and that he was 'very confident' that the deal would be done. He did not mention whether more than one gig was being tabled.
He told the Times: "To the best of my knowledge, talks have begun in relation to two big concerts next summer – the fact is clear we will have the stadium ready and part of its planning permission is to be to hold concerts such as this and is part of its building model is to host concerts like this". However, promoter Peter Aiken - the promoter behind the original five-nights-at-Croke-Park bid - is quoted as being 'unaware' of the alleged negotiations for a Cork gig.
The stadium is currently being refurbished, but will be ready to stage any potential gigs from next January with an expanded capacity of approx. 33,000.
Meanwhile, betting has been suspended on Adele playing a gig at Dublin's Croke Park next summer after she was cut at 1/3 favourite to follow in the footsteps of Beyoncé and Bruce Springsteen.
A spokesperson for BoyleSports said: "Our traders smelt a rat after we were bombarded with bets on Adele on Thursday morning. Despite cutting the price into 1/3 punters couldn’t get enough and if Adele is confirmed to play Croke Park in 2017 we are going to be “Rolling in the Deep”.
“Rumours had already circulated on Thursday about Adele playing Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork next year but it certainly now looks like she is set to take to the stage in GAA headquarters next year.”
How will this all pan out? We shall see...
