CORK GAA PRESENTS THE INAUGURAL CORK SUPER CUP AT SUPERVALU PÁIRC UÍ CHAOIMH
CORK GAA PRESENTS THE INAUGURAL
CORK SUPER CUP AT SUPERVALU PÁIRC UÍ CHAOIMH
- ● Celtic FC visit Leeside to play Cork City FC on Tuesday, July 8th
- ● Tickets go on general sale this Friday from 0900
SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh is to host the inaugural Cork Super Cup on July 8th, 2025 when current Scottish Premiership Champions Celtic FC travel to take on Cork City FC.
The Cork Super Cup is a joint initiative between Cork GAA and sports marketing agency Druid Sport to bring another record-breaking mid-summer event to the stadium.
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.
The fixture is expected to bring a significant boost to the local economy and hospitality trade, with an anticipated sell out crowd.
The organisers of the Cork Super Cup 2025 will be engaging with local businesses to create a unique atmosphere for visitors to the city. It’s estimated that the economic return from the fixture could be in the region of €6 million.
Speaking at the launch, 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 said: “This is another opportunity to share our stadium with the world, and help 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 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. 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 FC manager Brendan Rodgers said: “We are delighted to be travelling to Cork to play in this fantastic match in the summertime. 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.”
Cork City manager, Tim Clancy said: “We are lucky to have such an incredible fanbase at City, and know they will turn out in force to show Celtic what the Rebel Army is capable of. We have enjoyed incredible support since the start of the League of Ireland Premier Division season, and the opportunity to place a fantastic team in Celtic at an iconic setting is one that both the team and the fans can look forward to.”
Season ticket holders with SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Celtic FC and Cork City FC will be able to purchase tickets from Wednesday, March 5th by following instructions that will be sent by email.
Tickets will go on general sale, including a limited number of family tickets, via www.corksupercup.com/tickets and Ticketmaster from 0900 on Friday morning, March 7th.
Follow Cork Super Cup on Instagram @corksupercup and on Facebook /CorkSuperCupOfficial
Hurlers beat Kilkenny in league
Allianz Hurling League Division 1A
Cork 1-22 Kilkenny 2-16
By Stephen Barry at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Diarmuid Healy’s dream first start led Cork to an emotional Division 1A victory over Kilkenny in front of 22,193 fans at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
The U20 All-Ireland winner reeled off 1-5 as the Rebels recovered from defeat in Tipperary to leapfrog Kilkenny into third place.
Before throw-in, the entire Cork panel and backroom team lined up across the 45 for a minute’s applause in tribute to former Cork and Sarsfields hurler Ray Ryan, who died suddenly on Tuesday. His brother, Rebel boss Pat, stood among them wearing a black armband in Ray’s honour.
Cork made four changes to welcome in captain Robert Downey, Patrick Horgan, Healy, and Declan Dalton after serving his suspension. Their line-up featured 11 of last year’s All-Ireland final team.
Downey was excellent at centre-back, his metronomic clubmate Horgan ended with 0-10, while Healy took to this level like a duck to water.
Derek Lyng named the same Kilkenny team as he did for their postponed encounter with Limerick last weekend, although TJ Reid was added onto the bench for his first involvement of 2025.
Both sides were wasteful in the opening quarter.
Ryan had highlighted Cork’s need to be clinical with their goal chances, but Eoin Murphy saved from Brian Hayes and Dalton, while Healy and Horgan were hooked by Mikey Carey and Huw Lawlor when eyeing the net. Healy could’ve gone for broke from another opening, but opted to tap over.
Kilkenny offered up a few quickfire wides and Cork took advantage to jump four clear when Horgan broke Tim O’Mahony’s long free into Healy’s path. He had no hesitation this time to rifle into the far corner.
Kilkenny responded within two minutes. Billy Ryan intercepted Niall O’Leary’s fluffed handpass and his bouncing shot tricked Patrick Collins in goal.
They leapfrogged 2-5 to 1-7 ahead in the 29th minute. Substitute Damien Cahalane did well to block Harry Shine but Eoin Cody met the loose sliotar with a one-handed pull into Stephen Donnelly’s path and the captain did the rest.
They finished stronger with a pair of Cian Kenny points to lead 2-9 to 1-10 at half-time.
The second half, like the first, was slow to warm up.
Shane Barrett was the third Cork player to be hooked while bearing down on goal, with Tommy Walsh getting the hurl in.
That was called back for a free and the hosts moved back ahead, 1-17 to 2-13, through O’Mahony, Healy, and a couple of Horgan frees.
Jordan Molloy and Kenny brought their tallies to 0-3, with Kenny pulling up injured before splitting the posts and being replaced by TJ Reid.
Hayes got a hurley to Darragh Fitzgibbon’s dropping shot, but the sliotar rolled along rather than across the line. At the other end, Reid broke through, but Cahalane blocked his batted effort at goal.
In the end, four points in a row from Healy (two), Horgan, and Tommy O’Connell ensured Cork’s victory.
Scorers for Cork: Patrick Horgan 0-10 (6fs, 1 65), Diarmuid Healy 1-5, Tim O’Mahony, Shane Barrett 0-2 each, Ciarán Joyce, Darragh Fitzgibbon, Tommy O’Connell 0-1 each.
Scorers for Kilkenny: Eoin Cody 0-7 (4fs, 1 65), B Ryan 1-1, S Donnelly 1-0, J Molloy, C Kenny 0-3 each; M Carey, P Deegan 0-1 each.
Cork: Patrick Collins; Ger Millerick, Niall O’Leary, Eoin Downey; Ciarán Joyce, Robert Downey, Micheál Mullins; Darragh Fitzgibbon, Tim O’Mahony; Declan Dalton, Shane Barrett, Diarmuid Healy; Brian Hayes, Robbie O’Flynn, Patrick Horgan.
Subs: Damien Cahalane for Millerick (27, inj), Cormac O’Brien for Joyce (41-44, temp), Luke Meade for O’Flynn (46), Jack O’Connor for Dalton (49), O’Brien for Joyce (58-f-t, temp), Tommy O’Connell for Mullins (61), Jack Cahalane for Hayes (68).
Kilkenny: Eoin Murphy; Mikey Butler, Huw Lawlor, Tommy Walsh; David Blanchfield, Mikey Carey, Paddy Deegan; Killian Doyle, Jordan Molloy; Martin Keoghan, Cian Kenny, Billy Ryan; Stephen Donnelly, Eoin Cody, Harry Shine.
Subs: Luke Hogan for Shine (8-11, temp), Hogan for Donnelly (h-t), Pádraic Moylan for Lawlor (49, inj), Fionán Mackessy for Doyle (54), Luke Connellan for Shine (55), TJ Reid for Kenny (61, inj).
Referee: Johnny Murphy (Limerick).
Footballers are defeated by Roscommon
Allianz Football League Division Two
Roscommon 2-21 Cork 0-13
By Stephen Barry at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Roscommon returned to the scene of their 2023 championship elimination and emerged with a thumping 14-point victory over Cork at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
They had second-half goals from an Enda Smith penalty and Ben O’Carroll punishing a defensive calamity to put the Rossies top of Division Two, overnight at least, with their fourth win in five games.
Cork hit the crossbar twice in the second half as their promotion hopes appear all but over. They were equally punished for their wide count, which reached 13 to Roscommon’s three for a finish.
Both sides made one change before the throw-in with Cork’s Ian Maguire replacing Seán Walsh and Ben O’Carroll into the Roscommon attack for Ciaráin Murtagh, who appeared as a half-time sub.
Cork capitalised on a series of fouls to build an early 0-5 to 0-3 lead, but then didn’t score for 15 minutes as Roscommon reeled off six in a row.
The hosts created a pair of goal chances within two minutes. Seán McDonnell blazed wide, although play was called back for a Mark Cronin free, before Paul Walsh cut through only for Conor Carroll to save.
A Roscommon infraction of the 3v3 rule allowed Cronin to convert a two-point free and Cathail O’Mahony opened their account from play in the 17th minute.
Cork had their own transgressions, twice coughing up 50-metre advancements for not handing the ball back for a free and another for blocking a solo-and-go. Diarmuid Murtagh took two of those back outside the 40-metre arc for successful two-pointers.
The Rossies also played on for a goal chance from a Shane Cunnane advanced mark. Maguire’s diving block denied Robbie Dolan before play was whistled back for Cunnane to kick over.
Cronin responded with the first two-pointer from play before the break to go in four behind; 0-12 to 0-8.
Conor Hand launched a two-pointer as Roscommon moved seven ahead within two minutes of the resumption.
Chris Óg Jones and Paul Walsh points gave Cork hope but it was extinguished by Smith’s 49th-minute penalty. That came about when O’Carroll regained possession from sloppy Cork handling and fed Ciarán Lennon who tumbled over Neil Lordan.
That made it 1-16 to 0-11 and Hand extended that lead to 10 with his second two-pointer.
Cork countered with Seán Powter breaking through the middle but his dipping shot struck the crossbar and bounced over.
Colm O’Callaghan was pushed forward as Cork gave chase. He had a palmed goal chance saved by Carroll before kicking an advanced mark.
Roscommon added salt to the wound when Rory Maguire passed back towards goalkeeper Patrick Doyle, who isn’t permitted to receive the ball inside his own half under the new rules, and O’Carroll profited to tap into the net.
Brian O’Driscoll hit the crossbar from a flowing move at the other end before Roscommon ended with a long-range Niall Daly point, which was deemed a one-pointer due to a touch from Patrick Doyle as it flew over the bar.
Scorers for Roscommon: Diarmuid Murtagh 0-7 (2 2ptf, 2f), Ben O’Carroll 1-3, Conor Hand 0-6 (2 2pt, 1 45), Enda Smith 1-0 (p); Shane Cunnane (m), Robbie Dolan, Ciaráin Murtagh (f), Ultan Harney, Niall Daly 0-1 each.
Scorers for Cork: Mark Cronin 0-8 (1 2pt, 1 2ptf, 4f), Colm O’Callaghan (m), Paul Walsh, Chris Óg Jones, Cathail O’Mahony, Seán Powter 0-1 each.
Roscommon: Conor Carroll; Pearse Frost, Niall Higgins, John McManus; Robbie Dolan, David Murray, Shane Cunnane; Keith Doyle, Ultan Harney; Ciarán Lennon, Conor Hand, Enda Smith; Diarmuid Murtagh, Cian McKeon, Ben O’Carroll.
Subs: Ciaráin Murtagh for McKeon (HT), Ronan Daly for McManus (45), Eddie Nolan for Harney (51), Dylan Ruane for Lennon (61), Niall Daly for Dolan (65).
Cork: Patrick Doyle; Neil Lordan, Tommy Walsh, Daniel O’Mahony; Seán Brady, Rory Maguire, Mattie Taylor; Ian Maguire, Colm O’Callaghan; Paul Walsh, Brian O’Driscoll, Seán McDonnell; Mark Cronin, Chris Óg Jones, Cathail O’Mahony.
Subs: Seán Powter for T Walsh (43), Ruairí Deane for O’Mahony (45), Seán Walsh for McDonnell (57), Conor Cahalane for P Walsh (59), Hugh O’Connor for Jones (65).
Referee: Seán Lonergan (Tipperary).
Stadium Information | Triple Header, Cork, Roscommon and Kilkenny
GAA fans are in for an exciting day of football and hurling action on Saturday, 1st March 2025, as SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh hosts a thrilling triple-header. The atmosphere is set to be electric with three high-stakes matches taking place.
Key Times
🏠 Stadium Opens: 2:30 PM
🏆 Match Schedule:
- 3:00 PM | LGFA Cork vs Roscommon
- 5:00 PM | SHL Cork vs Kilkenny
- 7:00 PM | SFL Cork vs Roscommon
☁ Weather: Partly cloudy with rain – Check Met Éireann for updates.
Matchday Information
Tickets
🎟 Tickets are available online at www.gaacork.ie/tickets or in-store at SuperValu and Centra.
📌 All attendees, including under 16s, must have a ticket.
❌ No ticket sales at the venue.
Stadium Access & Seating
- Sold Out Sections: South Stand Lower, Premium, Upper, and North Stand are all sold out.
- Available Tickets: Blackrock End Terrace tickets are still on sale.
- Entry Gates: Stadium opens at 2:30 PM for all ticket holders.
Getting to the Stadium
🛋 Walking: The stadium is a 25-minute walk from Cork city centre and is connected via the Mahon to Passage Greenway Walk.
🚍 Public Transport: Bus routes 202 and 212 stop near the stadium. Kent Station is a 35-minute walk away.
Parking
🚗 No parking at the stadium.
✔ Alternative parking options: Mahon, Páirc Uí Rinn, City Centre Car Parks, Kennedy Quay. Local rowing clubs also offer parking.
🚧 Gardaí will enforce a cordon around the stadium – please plan your travel accordingly.
If you intend on driving to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh for a match, please take note that the roads surrounding the stadium are residential roads. Car parking is limited, and restrictions are in place on match days. Spectators should be aware that road closures are in operation on match day and taxis/drop-offs will not be permitted to enter the cordon.
Increased traffic volumes and local road closures before, during and after events cause significant delays in the area, so it is a good idea to plan your journey in advance.
Facilities & Match Programme
🍔 Food & Drinks: Food counters, sweet shops, and bars will be open throughout the stadium.
📖 Match Programmes will be available for purchase inside the venue.
Respect for Fellow Fans
🙏 Please be mindful of others when moving to and from your seats. Wait for breaks in play before moving.
Ticketing & SafeTix™ Entry
📲 Have your ticket printed or downloaded before arriving. Mobile coverage around the stadium can be limited.
✅ SafeTix™ Mobile Ticketing:
1️⃣ Sign into your GAA Ticketmaster Account
2️⃣ Go to My Events and select your ticket
3️⃣ Add to Apple Wallet or Google Pay (Barcodes won’t be visible in Wallets)
4️⃣ On match day, scan your rotating barcode or use NFC tap entry
📌 Screenshots of tickets may not be accepted.
🔗 Need help? Visit GAA Digital Tickets.
SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh thanks fans for their support. We look forward to an exciting day of football and hurling action!
For updates, visit www.gaacork.ie or follow @paircuichaoimh on social media.
