The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) confirmed that it has reached agreement with Cork County Council on land for the development of a Centre of Excellence in Glanmire, on the outskirts of Cork City.
The agreement provides for a 99 year lease on a 30 acre site in Glanmire that the FAI intends to develop as a Centre of Excellence to serve the Munster region.
County Council vote to give green light for Regional Centre of Excellence in Cork http://t.co/oiQjsH8zZc #CCFC84 pic.twitter.com/c16wi9VqUQ
— Cork City FC (@CorkCityFC) July 13, 2015
It is intended that the facility will be used as a training venue for Cork City FC, as well as a home match venue for its underage teams.
The facility will also support the development of young players operating within the FAI’s Emerging Talent Programme.
Welcoming the announcement today, FAI CEO John Delaney said: “This agreement is a very positive development for football in Munster.
“Work will now turn towards developing the site for the benefit of the game regionally and nationally in the coming years.”
Great news locally too with the go ahead for the centre of excellence in Glanmire! 👍🏻 #CCFC84
— Graham Woods (@Woodsy_9) July 13, 2015
The Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey also welcomed the news.
“The selection of Cork, and particularly the location at Glanmire, by the FAI to develop this regional centre of excellence recognises not just the strategic positioning of the location but also the wider strengths of Cork for sports development and the capacity of the wider economy,” Lucey said.
“We have worked with the FAI over the past year to facilitate this, and the full support of the members of Cork County Council demonstrates the Council’s proactive approach to continuing to strengthen Cork’s leisure, community and economic offering.”
Commenting after the announcement, the Chair of the Cobh Municipal District Cllr Sinead Sheppard added: “I am really delighted that Cork County Council has played an important role in providing an FAI Centre of Excellence for Munster. Cork’s rich sporting history is the envy of many, and this facility will go a long way to ensuring we can continue to enjoy great success into the future”