Cork GAA presents ‘One Cork’ to transform the fortunes of O’Keefe’s Park

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Cork GAA has unveiled plans for a single high-powered body to unite its key stakeholders and assets and target the massive € 33m debt weighing on its Páirc Uí Chaoimh stadium.

‘One Cork’ will merge the Cork County Board, the Páirc Uí Chaoimh Stadium board and the independent fundraising arm, Cáirde Chorcaí.

It will feature key GAA executives, business leaders and financial experts, who will drive an ambitious business and investment program that is expected to raise more than € 20 million in revenue over the next five years.

A key goal will be to pay off the stadium’s debt in six to 10 years, starting with the sale of its land in Kilbarry, on the north side of Cork City, which should reduce the debt burden to around € 23 million. .

The plan will be based on a series of strategies in key areas, namely sponsorship, business opportunities in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, ticketing and advertising.

Talks have been ongoing between the three bodies for several months before a final agreement was reached to proceed as a single body.

The ‘One Cork’ group is determined to make its € 96 million stadium a fundraising asset and not a financial millstone.

It is looking for a host of new opportunities that will realize the true potential of a “world-class stadium like the Páirc Uí Chaoimh”, including the naming rights to the elements of the ‘Páirc’.

He promised: “The proceeds, through commercial revenue, including stadium sponsorship, concerts and stadium rentals and advertising, will be used to invest heavily in Cork clubs and a better resourced county structure.”

Kevin O’Donovan, CEO of Cork, said: “The ambition is to make Cork GAA one of the most successful sports organizations in the country, both on and off the court.

By properly investing in county clubs, schools and structures, One Cork will lay the foundation for future success at all levels from Rebel Óg to Inter-County.

O’Donovan’s management team will be joined by corporate heavyweights Michael O’Flynn, John Mullins and Jim Woulfe, along with representatives from Cáirde Chorcaí, including its president Ted Owens, who insisted it was a positive move that the independent fundraising group will be included in the ‘One Cork’ model.

“Our mission has always been to help Cork GAA teams succeed at the highest level. We believe that this goal and our efforts to improve training facilities and support coaching can best be achieved under the One Cork model, ”he said.



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