Thousands expected for inaugural Cork Super Cup between Cork City and Celtic

Thousands of people will descend on the Rebel County this evening for the Cork Super Cup between Cork City FC and Scottish giants Celtic at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, kick-off 6pm.

Adam Idah will be the star of the show, as this is the first time that the Douglas native will play football in his home town for the first time since leaving College Corinthians to sign for Norwich City as a teenager.

The fixture comes at a collision point between two seasons, as the Rebel Army will go into the game in the middle of their campaign while their Scottish rivals are just getting started.

Gerard Nash is expected to use the Cork Super Cup as an occasion to bed in new signings after adding Fiacre Kelleher, Rory Feely, and goalkeeper David Odumosu to his squad.

There will also be various members of the U20s involved on Tuesday evening at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

This is a long standing tradition with the club, with friendlies often acting as a way to give minutes to those emerging from the academy. Various managers have considered this a necessary step, before using the Munster Senior Cup as a formal graduation ceremony.

Matthew Murray is one of those on the cusp of breaking through, as he deals with talk of a move to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers before the pre-season friendly match at The City Stadium, Glasgow.

The 17-year-old has already been to England for a trial and the forward will be able to sign a professional contract when he turns 18.

Murray has already seen first-team competitive action with Cork City as he was involved in a 2-0 victory over Carrigaline United in the Munster Senior Cup and a defeat to Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park.

As for Celtic, Brendan Rodgers’ team already have one outing on their belt after coming up against Queen’s Park last Friday.

This is the first visit of the Hoops to Leeside since 2013, when a B side took on Cork City in a friendly at Turner’s Cross.

Eoghan O’Connell and Fiacre Kelleher both lined out that night saw Patrik Twardzik and Lewis Kidd hit the back of the net.

12-year-later and a new generation are getting ready to come to Cork - a city made famous in Glasgow by a host of the Rebel County’s finest, a list that goes from Jim Foley in the 1930s to Idah with the current squad at Parkhead.

In between - there was Colin Healy, Liam Miller, and Roy Keane while Saoirse Noonan is currently under contract with Celtic’s women’s team.

Hoops’ captain Callum McGregor knows the history, and what this game means to the people.

“It’s been a while since we’ve been in Cork, so it’s nice to come over and see the fans, and let everybody see us in the flesh,” he said.

“We’re all looking forward to it. It’s a special stadium, and we want to come over and put on a show and hopefully have that connection with the supporters as well.

“The connection between the Celtic fans and the club has obviously been there throughout the test of time, it’s a special club with a special fan base, so when we get to come over and see everyone in person it’s always a special occasion, and we want to come over and give it our best.”

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