Cork laces up for new super cup
Leeside footie fans are in their element today with the announcement of a new football cup kicking off in Cork this summer.
SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh will be the backdrop to the inaugural Cork Super Cup on 8 July which will see Scottish Premiership champions Celtic FC go head-to-head with Cork City FC.
The match will only be the third ever soccer match to be staged at the historic grounds, and the first competitive men’s game. The winners will lift a specially commissioned Cork Super Cup trophy, designed by former Cork GAA legend Ger McCarthy.
A joint initiative between Cork GAA and sports marketing agency Druid Sport, the fixture is expected to bring a significant boost to the local economy and hospitality trade, with an anticipated sell-out crowd.
Cork City manager Tim Clancy praised Cork City FC fans for their unwavering loyalty and urged them to turn out in force for the fixture to “show Celtic what the Rebel Army is capable of”.
He said: “We have enjoyed incredible support since the start of the League of Ireland Premier Division season, and the opportunity to face a fantastic team in Celtic at an iconic setting is one that both the team and the fans can look forward to.”
Celtic FC manager Brendan Rodgers said staff and players at the club are delighted to be traveling to Cork.
He said: “We will be visiting a great stadium in a fine city and we are sure the game will be a wonderful occasion. Celtic’s Irish connections are very important to the club, and we are sure there will be huge interest in the match.
“From my own perspective it will be great to be going home to Ireland but also from a footballing side we are really looking forward to the match against Cork City, which will be an important part of our preparations for next season,” he added.
Celtic FC have played Cork City in friendlies on Leeside before, including a famous 2-0 victory for the home side during a visit in 1992. More recently, a team of Celtic and Manchester United legends took on a team of Ireland legends at the stadium in 2018 in memory of the late footballer Liam Miller from Cork.
Speaking at the launch of the new cup, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “The Cork Super Cup will be a wonderful showcase of sport for the city, and of SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh as a host of major events. I would like to commend Cork GAA for their ongoing vision for the stadium and wish both teams and all the supporters well this summer.”
Kevin O’Donovan, CEO of Cork GAA, added: “This is another opportunity to share our stadium with the world, and help show Cork as an excellent destination for sports tourism.”
Season ticket holders with SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Celtic FC, and Cork City FC will be able to purchase tickets from this Wednesday by following instructions that will be sent by email.
Tickets will go on general sale corksupercup.com and Ticketmaster from 9am this Friday morning.