All About Cork: Munster Rugby Cork Centre of Excellence ‘a milestone’

Ballyphehane has a new attraction following the opening of a state of the art rugby experience.

Munster Rugby has officially opened its Cork Centre of Excellence, which will play a key role in developing grassroots rugby.

It represents Munster Rugby’s second-largest capital project ever, following the redevelopment of Thomond Park in 2008.

Munster Rugby said the €7.3m Cork Centre of Excellence will be key in supporting underage player pathways for both boys and girls. It will also provide vital facilities for community, school, and club programmes across the province.

The facility, also made possible by a financial contribution from the IRFU, includes an indoor rugby dome covering a 50mx40m training pitch, a 232sq m high-performance gym and permanent offices for administrative staff.

It also features dressing rooms, physio spaces, and amenities designed to support clubs, schools, and youth development programmes.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin officially opened what Munster Rugby has described as a key strategic objective at its Virgin Media Park stadium, with minister of state with responsibility for sport Charlie McConalogue also in attendance, after the province availed of a €2.7m grant from the Government’s large-scale sports infrastructure fund.

“The opening of the Munster Rugby Centre of Excellence marks a significant milestone for sport in this province,” said Mr Martin.

“As one of Munster’s major capital developments, it stands as a clear reflection of the ambition, pride, and long-term vision that define Munster Rugby.

“This facility will ensure Munster remains a driving force in Irish and international rugby. It’s an exciting day for Munster, and for Irish sport.”

Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan spoke of the landmark moment for the province: “Today marks a significant milestone as we officially open our world-class Centre of Excellence in Cork. Incredible levels of work have taken place behind the scenes to reach this point.

“It’s a lot of money for a rugby club to deliver, €7.3m, and I think we’ve got value out of every euro that’s been spent. I think it’s a fabulous facility to have in the province.

“As the Taoiseach said, the first indoor rugby facility in the province. Now, there’s obviously a few more scattered around, but it will, we believe, be a game changer for us in terms of younger players, boys, girls, clubs, and schools, and grassroots usage of the facility.

“The booking slots are already filling up in terms of people wanting to come and see it, play five-a-side football here, whatever they want to use it for. It’s a great addition to Cork, first and foremost.”

Sports minister Patrick O’Donovan said: “I am delighted that my department was in a position to provide funding for this magnificent project. Munster’s strength has always come from its people — from the club members to the passionate supporters who fill stadiums. This facility is for them as much as it is for the players.”

The primary benefit will be to Munster Rugby’s domestic game infrastructure, significantly the province’s national training squad players, its boys and girls age-grade programmes and player pathway programme, with the aim of supplying more local players to the senior men’s and women’s teams.

Book of condolences

The book of condolences for the late Don O’Leary remains open until this Friday, October 17. The public is invited to sign daily from 10am-4pm in the atrium of City Hall.

New shed for Tidy Towns

Ballyphehane Tidy Towns got a new storage shed recently, saying goodbye to the old clothes bins in the park.

A representative for the group said: “We’re
absolutely delighted to show off our brand new shed in Ballyphehane. There’s still a bit of work to do, before she’s fully functional, but she’s already looking fabulous. A huge thank you to the LCDC local enhancement programme for the funding that made this possible.”

Call for drug taskforce

One local councillor has called for an increased Garda presence and a drug task force in the area, following a serious incident last week on Quaker Rd.

Councillor Paudie Dineen has said: “I would like it to be known that the serious incident on Quaker Rd, as I believe at the time of writing, is an isolated incident and most definitely had no connection to a local business in the area. The incident is currently under Garda Investigation.

“The community of the South Parish, and in particular Quaker Rd, Park Owen, Evergreen Rd, and Evergreen St is an area where the local residents live in harmony, share friendships, and respect for each other. This incident has come as a shock to all who live close by, and I wish to reiterate that incidents of this nature are very rare indeed in the area.”

“I would like to call on our judiciary to act appropriately and to our local Garda chiefs to immediately set up a drug task force to, once and for all, rid our residential streets, roads, estates, parks, and any other public space of those who blight our communities and disrupt our daily lives once and for all.”

Hannah Barrett’s Bar said: “We would like it to be known that the serious incident was, to our knowledge, an isolated incident and that Hannah Barrett’s bar, staff, and our customers, had no involvement whatsoever in the serious incident, which is currently under Garda Investigation.

“We would like to thank a member of a visiting darts team, name unknown, who gave first
aid to the victim by stemming the blood loss prior to the arrival of HSE paramedics. Once again, we reiterate that neither the bar, its staff, nor its customers had any connection to this incident, which happened 15/20m from the premises.”

Job vacancy

Ballyphehane Community Centre is looking for a part-time (19.5 hrs/week) administrative officer. This role involves office and admin support, assisting with finance and record-keeping, helping with events and community activities, and updating social media and communications. “We’re looking for someone organised, tech-savvy, and community-minded, with good admin experience.” The 19.5 per week will be over four days.

Email info@ballyphehanecc.com.