Redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh is nearing completion

CORK'S recent win over Tipperary has raised hopes that both the hurlers and footballers can take to the field in early July when the revamped Pairc Uí Chaoimh opens for the Munster finals.

Cork County Board is set to take control of the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh in just under a month.

The multi-million euro redevelopment of the iconic stadium is nearing completion, with contractors Sisk expecting to hand over control by mid-June.

Pictures taken at the stadium in recent days reveal that the all-weather pitch adjacent to the south stand is nearing completion.

Nets and floodlights are in position, with the 'carpet-like' green surface rolled out in recent days.

It follows significant progress on the stadium itself, with Páirc staff proudly showing off the near-completed stadium on social media in recent days.

The all-weather pitch is the final piece of the puzzle, though the location was met with some resistance when initially revealed.

Locals were unhappy that the facility sat next to the plans for the Marina Park amenity development.

However, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Des Cahill, said that most people locally are happy with how the work has proceeded.

He said, "I don't think there is any opposition there anymore. Most people here have been very impressed with the work and are just excited to see it open. There is no major animosity."

Mr Cahill, who lives locally, said the finished stadium is going to be 'huge for Cork.'

"I'm lucky that I have been inside already and it is fantastic. A lot of people here are very anxious to see the finished product but it is going to be huge for Cork.

"People are very pleased with how the project was delivered."

The bulk of the work on site is finished, including the towering three-tiered south stand, which will hold 13,000 spectators on match days.

The city and Blackrock ends will each hold 12,000, with the smaller north stand holding 8,000 to make up the remainder of the 45,000 capacity.

This will increase to 48,000 for concerts, with the first big names expected on Leeside in the summer of 2018.

The late completion date for the build - the stadium is due to open on July 2 for the Munster football final - meant that it was unlikely that big gigs would be secured for this summer.