New pitch is a game-changer for College Corinthians

A new full-size all-weather pitch means the 37 teams and 1,107 members in College Corinthians have another addition to their already excellent existing facilities at Castletreasure.

Due to open next week, the new SIS Turf Hybrid all-weather pitch is guaranteed to have a huge impact for the club but also for other football clubs in Cork.

"In the past, we have depended on the generosity of clubs like Crosshaven, Cobh Ramblers, Douglas Hall, Leeside and Mayfield United to faciliate a game and sometimes at very short notice. The football community in Cork is a close one and the individuals in those clubs always did their very best to help and this was, and is much appreciated," said chairman John O'Regan.

"Our new pitch will be a game-changer. We have an existing astro pitch already but is not quite a full pitch. This new full-size astro pitch means that all teams can train at home. 

We will not need to rent externally so we will save financially in the long term. Friday and Saturday night games will now be a reality which will be a huge change for the better. 

"It will also take a lot of pressure off our grass pitches. Any weekend can see up to 15-20 games being played so less traffic on grass in 2025 will mean less damage to our existing pitches which will be a delight for groundsman Denis Barry who always takes pride in the state of all our pitches and will hopefully mean less maintenance.

"We will be playing Killester/Donnycarney FC in the FAI Intermediate Cup in February. We now have a guarantee that the game can take place in Corinthians Park which is a great bonus and comfort."

The work was completed by local Firm Hourihan Engineering who have successfully laid other pitches like Leeside in Little Island. 

"They were absolutely fantastic to deal with. Internally, the project was led start to finish by committee member Brendan Murphy and we are indebted to him for his hours of work and effort to get this over the line. He is not one for attention but this project would not have been done without him."

They were awarded €140k and started the work in April of this year. Ground levelling and drainage works were carried out before works could begin on paths, fencing, store base and shock pads.

"We have been running a super-draw for the last 35 years and a few years ago we changed the format. Previously other clubs would sell on our tickets and they would receive 50% to an internal Christmas draw. It has proved to be very successful and I would like to thank all of our members, parents, sponsors and all those who participated for their unbelievable commitment and support. 

"Margaret Bradfield and Gillian Tobin literally take up residence in the Corinthians Shop from the beginning of December to ensure its success. We are very grateful to them and to Ursula McGrath, John O'Brien and Donal O'Donovan who are also on the draw committee." 

BOOST

They also received money from the transfer of former player Adam Idah after his switch from Norwich City to Celtic FC. 

The amount mentioned at the time were exaggerated to say the least. However, the funds received are substantial and we are very appreciative.

"We have two grass pitches currently and are developing a third grass pitch in the next few months. This will be exclusively for our girls section but they will still have use of the other two pitches.

We are looking to upgrade our car park so that people can enter and leave in a safe manner provide facility "We then believe that the final project will be the building of a new clubhouse. Currently, we have dressing rooms that are showing their age. We need to build a clubhouse similar to those seen in every GAA and rugby club. 

"We need to provide a facility whereby parents do not have to wait in their cars for their sons and daughters to finish training. We need a place to meet other than our existing prefab. We need to be able to offer hospitality before and after games to our members, visiting teams and officials. We want to celebrate victories and give out about defeats in our own home.

We have all togged off at the side of the road and thankfully, that is a thing of the past. 

"We need to raise standards off the pitch and many of the clubs in Cork city and county are doing this.

"We are hoping that our enhanced facilities will be of benefit to our neighbours and community."