Thousands packing the Páirc for Cork City v Celtic will be €6m boost for Leeside business

Tens of thousands of soccer fans filling the stands at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh will be a welcome multi-million euro boost for the city's businesses.

The GAA expects that huge numbers travelling to the stadium, from both home and abroad, to watch Cork City FC take on Celtic will provide an economic injection of around €6 million.

The Scottish Premiership Champions will travel to the home of Leeside GAA for a pre-season friendly on July 8, with swathes of international fans and supporters from up the country to follow Celtic to Cork - and spend their cash in shops, hotels and bars here.

Cork Chamber CEO Conor Healy said, "Events like the Cork Super Cup are critically important for Cork’s business community", and that he looks forward to visitors getting a chance to experience "the very best of what the region has to offer."

Hospitality businesses are set to benefit most from the record-breaking event. The match will be the first competitive men’s game staged on the historic grounds and only the fourth-ever soccer match there.

(Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie)

There are a few tickets still available HERE.

And with no major touring artist bringing concerts to the 45,000-seater stadium this summer, it will be a massive event for the in-debt Cork GAA, still needing to pay off a multi-million euro bill for the major Páirc renovation in 2017.

Kevin O'Donovan, CEO of Cork GAA, said large-scale events continue to be crucial for stadium funding. He said: “It’s fantastic to welcome football giants Celtic FC and our own local soccer club, Cork City FC, to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh for what is promising to be a really exciting evening of sport and family fun.

"The launch of the Cork Super Cup was well received locally, and we have been getting a lot of support from businesses across all sectors, including retail, hospitality and transport. Events such as this generate important funds for the stadium to be enjoyed by all.”

Iarnród Éireann has updated its schedule to facilitate those travelling to the game, with the last service from Cork Kent to Dublin Heuston now departing at 21:25 on the day. This train will also stop at Mallow, Limerick Junction, Thurles and Portlaoise.

There will also be a late train to Limerick, leaving Kent Station at 21:25, while matchgoers from Kerry can take the Tralee train, leaving Kent Station at 20:55.

Cork City manager Tim Clancy previously said he is expecting home fans to "turn out in force to show Celtic what the Rebel Army is capable of."

If you haven't secured your ticket yet, there are a few still available from Ticketmaster online here starting at €27.95. Cork City FC Fans will be accommodated in the North Stand and West Terrace (City End), while Celtic FC Fans will be accommodated in the South Stand and East Terrace (Blackrock End). There is also a range of VIP tickets and exclusive hospitality packages in the South Stand.

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