State of the art Mardyke Arena is the perfect fit for SuperLeague champions UCC Demons

The Mardyke Arena is rated one of the finest in this country and outside of being home to UCC Demons the facility has a wide range of sports and membership that makes it a state- of the art complex.

Christine Moloney took over as Chief Executive Officer from Patsy Ryan and is overlooking a facility whose numbers are just mind boggling.

Before joining the Mardyke Arena Christine was 24 years with Leisureworld who manage six sites northside and southside of this city.

“It was very community focused and it was a great experience for me to get before taking on this role,” said Christine.

Taking up her new role at the Mardyke Arena in April 2024 was always going to be a challenge as the membership in 5,000 plus and then you have all the students in UCC having access to the facilities as this is included in their college fee,” added Moloney.

There is an estimated 35% penetration rate among the students on an average of four times a week from general fitness to climbing walls with some yoga.

As a footfall in 2024 the arena averaged 2,500 people per day in the facility and that’s on week days all in the same facility that demands a huge effort from the hardworking 130 staff at the arena.

The word community is very much a major word in the vocabulary of the Mardyke Arena chief.

“It is all about the students and the community as our priority is providing a good service for their health and wellbeing.” 

Blue Demons became involved with the Mardyke Arena in 2002 and the partnership is very beneficial to both parties.

“Amazingly, I was basketball fan from a young age hoping one day I would be a coach and going to see the great Americans in the eighties like Jasper McElroy, Dale Roberts, Ray Smith and Terry Strickland was something I will never forget.

“What is very important for the Blue Demons partnership is that we are right in the communities at both sides of the river and we need to do more on outreach as we need to create more community activity particularly in the summer.” 

The importance of the partnership is important to the university and the CEO is delighted that more work has been done over the summer to improve it.

Basketball is very much a huge part of the Mardyke Arena and Christine praised Blue Demons for the work they have put in for over 60 years.

“It goes without saying when you have had the success of Blue Demons the voluntary work that goes on behind the scenes is amazing and I commend their passion.” 

The Mardyke Arena is rated by many basketball folk as one of the best in this country and Christine couldn’t resist recalling the golden era of the sport.

“It was amazing as I remember as a young girl coming from the country up to the Parochial Hall and the Neptune stadium to take in the games.

“When you look back Cork was in low way with unemployment at an all time high, but basketball brought huge energy and happiness to the city.” Travelling from Macroom to Cork on a weekly basis was a ritual for Christine but she still has a huge love for basketball.

“I just love the sport and although we are in different times from the eighties it is still a wonderful spectacle and no better place to take in a game than at the Mardyke Arena.”