THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION of Ireland has today reached an agreement with Cork County Council to develop a centre of excellence in Glanmire.

The deal involves a 99-year lease on a 30 acre site, which the association plans to use for the centre of excellence to serve the Munster region.

The facility aims to support the development of young players operating within the FAI’s Emerging Talent Programme, while Cork City FC will also use the location for training and underage matches.

Commenting on the news today, FAI CEO John Delaney said:

“This agreement is a very positive development for football in Munster. I would like to recognise the support of Minister Alan Kelly, Senator John Gilroy, Cork County Council CEO, Tim Lucey, and Pat Lyons, Chairman of FORAS, who were invaluable in securing the agreement.

“Work will now turn towards developing the site for the benefit of the game regionally and nationally in the coming years.”

Chairman of FORAS – Cork City FC, Pat Lyons, added:

“There have been two major developments in Cork soccer, which together will ensure that soccer is sustainable in Cork into the future.  The foundation of FORAS, which is a trust owned and run by the supporters of Cork City FC, and now for the first time in the history of Cork soccer, thanks to this development, a Cork club will have a permanent base.

“In the past five years since FORAS took charge there have been some great milestones but this has been a major achievement, not only for Cork City FC but for the wider Cork community and indeed the Munster region in general.”

Originally published at 15.38

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