Cork City hold talks with Cork GAA over use of Páirc Uí Chaoimh to stage high-profile friendlies

The 45,000-capacity GAA venue will host the Ireland Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier against France next month and the green light is there to host further soccer fixtures down the line.

Pre-season friendlies are a revenue spinner for League of Ireland clubs in the summer months and Cork City this week confirmed a game against Stoke City at Turner’s Cross for Wednesday July 17.

But the ambition exists to bring English Premier League clubs to Cork.

“We’re trying to think outside of the normal,” club owner Dermot Usher told The Rebel Army Podcast.

“We have access to the Everyman, Cork Opera House, we have access to Páirc Uí Chaoimh to put on big games potentially down the road. That’s something that would be of interest.

“Not this year, it’s too soon. I’ve had a couple of conversations (with the Cork GAA CEO).

“There’s a very good relationship between ourselves, the GAA, and Munster Rugby.”

He indicated Cork GAA would be happy to give the ‘green light’ to such proposals, with the aim to attract big-name clubs across the Irish Sea.

“At some point, that’d be the plan,” Usher continued.

“Whether that’s done on a yearly basis or biannually, I don’t know.

“That’s at a very early stage for me so I don’t want to be held on it. At the end of the day, I want to run events that will help and support the club going forward.

“If we can do things that are outside of normal matchdays, I think that helps everybody.

“To have a sustainable club, we need revenue streams that are outside of football. The plan this year was to have five different events to clear €50,000 to offset some of the costs we have.

“The plan next year is to try and raise €100,000 through that. We’re looking to hold gigs and trying to get people on board with that.”

In terms of transfer activity, Usher revealed that an approach was made to lure League- and FAI Cup-winning hero Seani Maguire back to the club. The 30-year-old striker is currently a free agent after a spell with Carlisle United.

“We had a conversation with Seani Maguire but Seani doesn’t want to come home just yet.

“His wife is due a baby in the summer and he feels he has some time yet over in the UK. Who knows what the future will hold? If Seani was coming back, we wouldn’t be the only ones looking.”