The possibility of the Cork footballers having to play an All-Ireland championship fixture at Páirc Uí Rinn this June, due to the Zach Bryan concerts at Páirc Uí Chaoimh the same month, was a factor in the decision to stage this Sunday’s Division 2 game against Meath at Cork’s secondary venue.
The top of the table Division 2 clash is the first time in seven years that the Cork footballers will play a home League game at Páirc Uí Rinn. Donegal were the opponents for that 2019 Round 6 tie, the Glenties men returning back up the road with a 1-19 to 1-12 victory.
Cork GAA CEO Kevin O’Donovan has told the that during discussions with the Cork football management last year, a desire was expressed to play a league game at Páirc Uí Rinn in 2026. And so once the draft League fixtures were circulated by Croke Park, the Meath fixture was chosen by Cork as the preferred game for Páirc Uí Rinn.
The other factor in the decision to play a league game at Páirc Uí Rinn this spring is the possibility of the Cork footballers returning to the venue come championship.
Round 3 of the new Sam Maguire format, whereby the four losing teams from Round 2A will be drawn against the four winning teams from Round 2B, is scheduled for the same weekend, June 20/21, that American country star Zach Bryan plays two concerts at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
In the event that Cork are involved in Round 3, and drawn to play at home, the game will be staged at Páirc Uí Rinn owing to Páirc Uí Chaoimh’s unavailability.
“There remains a small chance that Páirc Uí Rinn would host a Sam Maguire football game later this year, due to the Zach Bryan concerts, and this was also a factor in playing a football League fixture at our second stadium,” O’Donovan explained.
A Bruce Springsteen concert saw Cork host – and overcome – Donegal at Páirc Uí Rinn during the 2024 All-Ireland series. Remedial work to the Páirc Uí Chaoimh surface in the aftermath of the Springsteen concert ruled the venue out of action for the game.
Cork manager John Cleary, ahead of that Donegal visit two years ago, insisted that his team was in no way disadvantaged by having to change home venue.
“We’ve played a lot of times here at Páirc Uí Rinn and we do a lot of our training here, so I don’t think it is [a disadvantage],” he said.
The 3-9 to 0-16 victory over Jim McGuinness’ side stands as the last occasion Cork played a competitive fixture at the Boreenmanna Road venue.
Premium Level and South Stand ticket holders have already received their tickets for Sunday’s game in Páirc Uí Rinn.
In light of the Meath game taking place at Páirc Uí Rinn and neither the Cork hurlers nor footballers enjoying another home fixture until mid-March, Páirc Uí Chaoimh has been closed for maintenance work since the hurlers’ win over Tipp on February 7 and will not reopen until the footballers host Kildare on March 14.
“It then became apparent that due to the respective League programmes in both hurling and football, a five-week gap had arisen between the Tipperary hurling fixture and the Kildare football fixture,” O’Donovan continued.
“Our groundsman, Colm Daly, requested that this period be used for routine pitch maintenance and recovery. This has allowed the pitch to be covered as protection against the recent frost, with newly purchased grow lights installed in the respective goalmouths.
“SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh will reopen on Saturday, March 14th for the Kildare football fixture. In the meantime, we look forward to our loyal supporters turning out in full force on Sunday next.”
Cork, holding maximum points following their opening three games, would take a sizable step towards ending the county’s 10-year residence away from Division 1 with a fourth straight victory against the Royals.
