Cork's Páirc Uí Chaoimh 'could be Euro 2028 match venue'

A NEWLY elected Labour Party councillor has proposed a motion that SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh should be backed as an alternative venue for the Euro 2028 ties earmarked for Casement Park in Belfast.

Ahead of Monday's city council meeting, Peter Horgan submitted a motion that the council would support “any efforts to secure the ability to host games in Euro 2028 in [SuperValu] Páirc Uí Chaoimh”.

Such a hosting opportunity outside of Dublin would be “a massive boost to Cork city and surrounding regions”, he said.

On the meeting’s agenda the motion is currently scheduled to be debated at a Community, Culture and Placemaking Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) in September.

However, Mr Horgan said he intends to challenge the decision for the motion to go to an SPC if possible and for it to be debated in the council chamber this evening.

The South East ward councillor said he believed the motion to be timely given mounting speculation that Casement Park could be axed as a host venue because of uncertainty over the timeline and funding for the redevelopment project.

Euro 2028 is set to be jointly held by the UK and Ireland.

“I think Cork needs to be considered.

“It needs to be visited by the UEFA officials and any support that the local authority, that Cork City Council can give either [SuperValu] Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the GAA, the FAI, should be done,” Mr Horgan said.

“I think Cork is the perfect venue for a European Championship match – for however many.

“We have an international airport, we have ferry options, we have road options.

“I’m sure the hospitality sector would love to see this coming down the line.

“We have to be ambitious for Cork. I want to be ambitious for Cork and I want these major events coming to Cork.

“We have the majority of infrastructure in place – one can argue more infrastructure is needed and it is needed but the stadium is there, the Marina Park area is there around it. It can host big games.” 

Mr Horgan said he hoped for cross-party support if the motion is heard this evening.

“If, as a council we can band cross party together to encourage as much support to get games to [SuperValu] Páirc Uí Chaoimh I think that benefits Cork and the wider area too.”