Minister for Sport John O'Donoghue has welcomed the apparent decision by the GAA that Semple Stadium should be its "second stadium", after Croke Park.

Mr O'Donoghue said that "in those circumstances, it would receive the recognition which the conferring on it of such a status would require". Costs for its refurbishment are estimated at €18 million.

Mr O'Donoghue, who met the GAA president and officials two weeks ago, said of the stadium at Thurles, Co Tipperary: "I don't think anybody has an understanding of Irish culture unless they've stood on the terrace at Semple Stadium on the day of a Munster hurling final."

When the GAA completes a planned review of its venues to create a strategy for developing facilities at local and regional level, "I would be happy to consider any request for funding from the GAA which it may wish to make arising from that review".

Labour's sports spokesman Jack Wall said there was a major demand for funding at Semple stadium and at Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney. "Both stadiums are entrenched in GAA folklore and apart from Croke Park, are the two most famous stadiums in the country."

He pointed to the difficulty for the GAA in raising the €18 million. "No other grounds will demand as much funding for development as Semple Stadium and Fitzgerald Stadium and €18 million wasn't invested in any other county ground, by a long shot."

Mr O'Donoghue said it was Semple Stadium he had discussed with the GAA authorities. "The GAA appears to have come to the conclusion, which I welcome, that Semple Stadium should be the second stadium of the GAA in the country."