New fund to boost Cork City FC’s Academy players

A town planning practice has announced a new scheme to cover costs for players involved in Cork City FC’s academy.

Tom Phillips & Associates make a contribution for players to cover the cost for individuals education, training and professional development both on and off the field through a bursary fund.

The fund will be available to anyone in the girls and boys academy teams in Cork City FC and eligibility will be assessed on a case by case basis by the CCFC Head of Academy.

The bursary fund is designed to support individual players with additional needs or costs that arise due to their commitment to high level sport.

Cork City FC academy has a strong history of producing talent that has succeeded at international and club level. On the men’s side, six academy players were recently promoted to the men’s first team with Cillian Murphy, Ike Manjoor-Georwill, Charlie Hanover, Brody Lee, Donal O’Connor and Luke Downey all committing their futures to the club last August. The women’s academy has also seen academy players Holly O’Hagan, Clodagh Fitzgerald, Ciara O’Driscoll and Leah O’Leary Calendar become important first team players.

Anthony O’Sullivan, Cork City FC Commercial Manager said: “Cork City FC are incredibly appreciative of Tom Phillips & Associates generous contribution to the team's academy system. The funds will go directly into player welfare and development, and provide a system for CCFC to continue producing talent to support our women’s and men’s first teams.”

John Gannon, Managing Director of Tom Phillips & Associates said: “Sport is a fantastic platform for young people in Ireland and we are keenly aware of the need for additional educational and wellbeing support for young people that participate in high level sport across the country. We are delighted to be able to contribute to players that may need additional services over the course of a season or throughout their time in the academy.”