Celtic to play Cork City this summer at Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Kenneth Fox
The inaugural Cork Super Cup will take place this July when Scottish Champions Celtic travel to take on Cork City FC at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The Cork Super Cup is a joint initiative between Cork GAA and sports marketing agency Druid Sport.
Taking place on July 8th, it 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.
The fixture is expected to bring a significant boost to the local economy and hospitality trade, with an anticipated sell out crowd.
It is estimated that the economic return from the fixture could be in the region of €6 million.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the event will be a great showcase of sport for the city and highlight Páirc Uí Chaoimh's ability to host 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, chief executive of Cork GAA said the event will help to show Cork as an excellent destination for sports tourism.
“We are fortunate that one of the world’s most successful soccer teams has agreed to return to Cork, and we have been engaging with Cork City FC to ensure that both sets of fans really enjoy the experience.
Every event such as this generates funding streams that we can reinvest in the stadium, and in our own games, so everyone wins.”
Celtic have played Cork City in friendlies on Leeside before, including a famous 2-0 victory for the home side during a visit in 1992.
A team of Celtic and Manchester United legends had taken on a team of Ireland legends at the stadium in 2018, in memory of the late Liam Miller.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers said that he is looking forward to his trip to Cork.
“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.”