Michael O'Flynn, Chairman of the Liam Miller benefit match organising committee, joined Saturday's Off the Ball to discuss the decision of the GAA to host the game at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The organisation had come in for widespread criticism for its refusal to allow the game to take place at the Cork ground but they released a statement on Saturday announcing a reversal of their decision.
"It's a great decision and on behalf of everyone involved - his family in particular - and the committee and the public at large who have come out in such great numbers, I just want to welcome the decision and I must complement the GAA for sitting down and reassessing the situation and coming to this decision because I think it's a really important one," he told Nathan.
"It'll be a great afternoon for Cork - it's a great afternoon for sport and I think it's really good news.
Asked about how the change came about, O'Flynn said: "Last weekend, as you probably know, it went from one extreme to the other and within 24 hours the GAA released a very strong statement that they weren't able to consider the match because of a rule situation and then within 24 hours they came out and said they were going to meet with us.
"So, once they agreed to a meeting I was very hopeful that once we got to sit in the same room, and we had that meeting on Tuesday and it lasted two hours, when people sit down to meet - you can look at the detail of the situation.
"And, to be fair to the GAA, they have had a tough week or two on this but the right decision has come about and I want to commend them for that.
"I'm a life-long member of the GAA myself and an active member of the GAA so I was delighted that they did consider it further and make this very positive decision.
"They have an extremely complex structure - they're probably the greatest amateur organisation in the world but they have a complex structure when it comes to decision making and you have to respect that and you have to respect the situation that evolved for them and it all came down to 'Is this going to be in breach?' [of the rules].
"And, I think once people saw the charity aspect to it - most people saw there is nobody gaining commercially here and it's not being done under any 'soccer committee' or any 'football association grouping', I mean, this is a charity event.
"I've spoken to the family since the decision came out a very short while ago and they're delighted because obviously they're grieving and it's very sad that a young man passed away, 36 years of age, and the last thing people want is controversy around what was good intentions on the part of a number of us to stage some events in Liam's honour.
"He was also a GAA man in that he played for my local club, Éire Óg, and then he went off to Scotland and from there - around the world - but he was a very talented hurler and footballer so, he had a GAA background as well.
"The reality is that we were keen to have it in Cork. I mean, obviously, the initial approach, we thought we couldn't get Páirc Uí Chaoimh and we preceded to explore the Turner's Cross option but I'm delighted, I'm absolutely delighted, because the cause will do better and so will other causes and I think that's a win for everyone."
The GAA will also stage an event prior to the football match and further details will be released next week.
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