Páirc Uí Rinn

Páirc Uí Rinn (Irish pronunciation: [ˈpˠaːɾʲc iː ˈɾˠiːn̪ʲ]) is a stadium in Cork owned by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). It was formerly Flower Lodge, a soccer ground home to several Cork teams in the 20th century, named after a Big House on whose grounds it was built.

Flower Lodge

The most popular and enduring soccer team was Cork Hibernians, who were one of the most successful League of Ireland teams in the 1960s and '70s. "The Lodge" was regularly filled for Hibs home games, particularly for their local derby with Cork Celtic. However, both Cork clubs went out of business in the late 1970s, after experiencing a sudden collapse in their crowds. Cobh Ramblers, then a nonleague side, played an FAI Cup semifinal replay against Sligo Rovers at Flower Lodge in 1983, as it had a larger capacity than their own ground. The 1973 FAI Cup final replay was played at Flower Lodge. A new Cork team, Cork City F.C., was formed in 1984, and initially also played at Flower Lodge. In 1985, the Republic of Ireland national soccer team played a friendly match against Spain there, as part of the Cork 800 celebrations. In 1986, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, who owned the ground, put it up for sale, forcing Cork City F.C. to move to Turners Cross.

Páirc Uí Rinn

The old stadium was acquired by the GAA, and renamed Páirc Uí Rinn (Ring Park in English) after Christy Ring, famed Cork and Glen Rovers hurler. The terraces at either end of the pitch were demolished to allow the longer playing field required by gaelic games. Páirc Uí Rinn is the second-largest capacity GAA ground in County Cork, behind Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The former hosts lesser matches, such as the group stages of the National Hurling League, National Football League and underage games; the latter is reserved for major matches such as the All-Ireland championships. The current capacity of Páirc Uí Rinn is approximately 18,000. Plans have just been announced to increase the capacity of the stadium by extending the existing stand and installing concrete terraces behind the goals. Páirc Uí Rinn is the first GAA stadium in Ireland to have installed floodlights, resulting in a number of late evening games taking place.

See also

• List of GAA Stadiums by Capacity
• Stadiums of Ireland