Stadium
STADIUM: Turners Cross, Curragh Road, Cork
DIRECTIONS: The number 3 bus (cost €1.20) stops outside the ground. If travelling from Dublin, take the Jack Lynch tunnel and follow signs for Turners Cross. Parking near the stadium should be easily obtained but it may prove difficult if Munster are playing at Musgrave Park on the same night.
ENTRANCE PRICES: Adults: €13, U-18 and OAP's €5.
CAPACITY: 8000 – 9000
SECTIONS OF THE GROUND: Seating Areas; The Donie Forde Stand (1900), St.Annes End (2800), Derrynane Road (1185). Standing Areas; The Shed.
RECORD ATTENDANCE: 12000 vs. Dundalk in 1991.
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FURTHER INFO
Tickets may be purchased prior to games from the following outlets in the Northside: Connie's Chipper in Cathedral Road & Murphy's Chipper in Gerald Griffin Street. In the Southside, tickets can be purchased from The Horseshoe Inn, The Lough Laundrette, Lennox's Laundrette and from the Club Shop during office hours. Your ticket allows you access to any part of the ground, except for seats in The Donie Forde Stand, which are reserved for season ticket holders. Approx 200 seats are reserved in the last section of The Donie Forde Stand for away supporters. The Derrynane Road section of the ground has approx 200 seats reserved for families and children wishing to occupy the Evening Echo family enclosure. Entrance to the ground prior to kick-off is via the Curragh Road end. Turnstile 1 is reserved for season ticket holders and turnstile 8 is for people using the Family Enclosure.
City Edition, Irish Programmers Programme of the year 2003, can be purchased inside and outside the ground at bargin price of €2.50. The full colour production includes notes from the chairman, manager, captain, commercial manager and community liason officer. Player interviews also appear regularly in City Edition.
FourFiveOne, the fanzine, is available at only €1 and is available once a month over the course of the season. The fanzine is a great production and back issues may be obtained from www.fourfiveone.net.
Pre and post match entertainment can be found in the following pubs: The Horseshoe Inn, PJ Turners, Turners Cross Tavern and The Evergreen. Two mobile chippers operate outside the ground on matchday and two chippers are also located inside the ground, at both The Shed End and the St. Anne’s End.
Club name: Cork City
Founded: 1984 (Cork City was formed after the demise of Cork Hibernians,
elected to the league 1984)
Home ground: Turners Cross, Curragh Road, Cork
How to get there: The number 3 bus stops outside the ground. If travelling from Dublin, take the Jack Lynch tunnel and follow signs for Turners Cross
Phone: 021 4321958
Fax: 021 4321958
e-mail: info@corkcityfc.ie
Website: www.corkcityfc.ie
Club colours: Home: Green jersey with red and white trim, white shorts with red and green trim, green socks with red and white trim
Away: Navy blue jersey with red and green stripe, navy shorts with green and red trim, navy socks with green and red trim
Nickname: City
Sponsor: Nissan
Manager: Damien Richardson
Honours: League titles (1)
1992-93
FAI Cups (1)
1998
League Cups (3)
1987-88, 1994-95, 1998-99
Cork City Football Club : Facts
Club Name: Cork City FC
Founded: 1984
Home ground: Turners Cross, Curragh Road, Cork.
How to get there: The number 3 bus stops outside the ground. If travelling from Dublin, take the Jack Lynch tunnel and follow signs for Turners Cross.
Phone: 021 4321958
Fax: 021 4321958
e-mail: info@corkcityfc.ie
Website: http://www.corkcityfc.ie
Webmaster(s): Declan Carey
Trevor Carey
Kenneth Carey
Kit Design: Home: Green jersey with red and white trim, white shorts with red and green trim, green socks with red and white trim.
Away: Navy blue jersey with red and green stripe, navy shorts withgreen and red trim, navy socks with green and red trim.
Nickname: City, Rebel Army
Main Team Sponsor: Nissan
Shorts Sponser: Guiness
Other Shirt Sponsors: Evening Echo, RedFM
Kit Sponsor: O'Neills
Chairman: Brian Lennox
Community Liason Officer: Noelle Feeney
Club Secretary: Gerry Harris
Manager: Pat Dolan
Assistant Manager:
Managing Director: Paddy Gilley
Physio: Eric Wolfe
Kit Manager: Jerry Harris
U-21 Manager: Stewart Ashton
U-18 Manager: Paul Bowdren
U-17 Manager: Liam Murphy
Technical Director & Development Officer Liam Murphy
Eircom League Represenative: Jim Murphy
Event Controller: Peter Cotter
Honours: League titles (1) 1992-93
FAI Cups (1) 1998
League Cups (3) 1987-88, 1994-95, 1998-99
Club History
1984 – 1985
After a two-year gap, senior football returned to Leeside when Cork City FC was elected to the League of Ireland. Former Chelsea and Cork Celtic hero Bobby Tambling was at the helm but his reign only lasted an unlucky 13 games.
Tony ‘Tucker’ Allen filled the breach as the club opted to import a batch of English players, most notably ex-Liverpool midfielder Terry McDermott. The gamble averted the threat of relegation to the new First Division, but brought no joy in the Cup as City fell to Drogheda United in the second round.
1985 - 1986
The second campaign almost brought disaster with City failing to win a single game at Flower Lodge and avoiding relegation only on goal difference from Shelbourne. Just three points were gleaned from home matches where Trevor Brooking’s fleeting appearances failed to inspire a change of fortune. City clung on to Premier Division status following some sterling away results.
The FAI Cup offered some respite with Bray Wanderers, Limerick City and Derry City being overcome as City advanced to the semi-finals. However, all-conquering Shamrock Rovers proved too powerful over two legs, winning 8:3 on aggregate. The return match at the Lodge was the last ever played at the famous old venue.
1986 - 1987
All change as the enforced move to Turners Cross also brought Noel O’Mahony in as manager. Crowds remained poor as the team still struggled before finally ending a 19-month wait for a home win when Sligo Rovers were beaten 3:2. John Caulfield notched a first hat-trick in the same game. O’Mahony eventually guided City into the relative comfort zone of mid-table, but the FAI Cup, League Cup and Munster Senior Cup offered little in the way of consolation or glory.
1987 – 1988
Former Ireland striker Eamon O’Keefe arrived as manager as the club strived to inject an urgent degree of professionalism. Within a month O’Keefe delivered the Munster Cup, and in October skipper Liam Murphy lifted the League Cup, the club’s first national silverware, when Shamrock Rovers were defeated at Turners Cross. On the league front there was a further gradual improvement with City finishing in seventh place. Despite the advances made, however, the turnstiles were still clicking too slowly and there was pressure on the board to improve the image and appeal of the club.
1988 - 1989
This was an eventful season for City in many ways: the sacking of O’Keefe, another relegation battle, a first FAI Cup final appearance and a European qualification at the end of it all.
Poor early form and attendances cast doubts over O’Keefe’s tenure and there was an acrimonious parting of the ways before Christmas with O’Mahony re-installed to guide the ship to safety. The side battled to finish eighth in the league and produced brave but unsuccessful defences of the Munster and League Cups. Losing to treble champions Derry City in the FAI Cup decider earned the club its first European ticket.
1989 - 1990
Glenavon and Tottenham Hostpur were early visitors to Leeside before City faced Torpedo Moscow in the Cup Winners’ Cup, a huge step for a young club. They lost 0:6 on aggregate against the Russians, but the experience fuelled the club’s desire and inspired a fifth-place finish in the Premier Division. The ambitious experiment of recruiting four Bulgarians in October did not pay off but hinted at an actual desire for achievement.
The FAI Cup and the League Cup proved fruitless avenues to success, but the Munster Senior Cup was reclaimed on New Year’s Day at the expense of Tramore Athletic.
1990 – 1991
For the first time City were genuine championship contenders, exploding from the traps with a 20-game unbeaten run that lasted until late January, the squad bolstered by the inclusion of five Scots during the season. The only other defeat came when Dundalk stole a 1:0 win and the title in front of 12,000 fans packed into Turners Cross. The consolation was another European berth, this time in the UEFA Cup.
There were early exits in the FAI and League Cup, but the Munster Senior Cup was retained when Limerick City were overcome 3:0 on the last day of the season.
1991 - 1992
A hectic pre-season included games in Shanghai against the Polish and Chinese Olympic teams, a famous 2:0 win over Celtic plus visits from Leeds, Manchester City and Sunderland. The icing on the cake was a gallant UEFA joust with Bayern Munich, City holding the German giants 1:1 at Musgrave Park before falling 0:2 to late goals in Bavaria.
The club slipped to third in the league, missing out on Europe, and suffered a 0:1 reverse to Bohemians in the FAI Cup decider at Lansdowne Road. Once again the Munster Senior Cup was the only trophy claimed in a memorable year.
1992 - 1993
Cork City landed the Premier Division title for the first time after a three-way tie with Shelbourne and Bohemians, and an extended play-off series to decide the Championship. A 3:2 win over Shelbourne at the RDS in the sixth play-off game finally earned the club its day of glory.
It was a momentous season on other fronts also with City moving to a new stadium in Bishopstown as ambition continued to grow.
There were early exits in the League and FAI Cups, however, though the Munster Cup was kept for another year following a 3:1 win over Fermoy.
1993 - 1994
Damien Richardson took the helm on Noel O’Mahony’s retirement. City came from three goals down to knock Welsh side Cwmbran Town out of the Champions Cup. Their reward was a trip to Istanbul and odd-goal defeats both home and away to Galatasaray.
Domestically there was little joy in the Cups, but the club made a brave effort at retaining its league crown, finishing second to Shamrock Rovers, playing attractively and scoring freely.
Almost inevitably, the Munster Senior Cup provided the only silverware from an exciting campaign, though it took a penalty shoot-out to see off the challenge of Cobh Ramblers.
1994 - 1995
A UEFA Cup exit against Slavia Prague was quickly overcome and the championship success of ‘93 looked as if it might be repeated before the season rapidly turned sour, and Richardson resigned a week before Christmas with the team at the top of the table and into the League Cup final. Bishopstown was virtually unplayable, games were switched to Cobh, Turners Cross and even one enforced trip to Tolka Park. O’Mahony was recalled but the title challenge collapsed and neither Munster or League Cup successes could ease the sadness of seeing a club on the verge of self-destruction.
1995 - 1996
Rob Hindmarch took the reins, but it was obvious he had inherited a mess. The club was in the mire, the stadium dragging it under. In mid-season the receiver was called in and the club was left homeless. Frantic efforts to save the situation saw a new Board installed and a move to Turners Cross. Penniless, Hindmarch had skimmed along with bargain basement imports but relegation still threatened, a three-point deduction adding to the problems. A Cup exit saw Dave Barry appointed and the team gleaned enough points to scramble to ninth. They lost the Munster Cup decider to junior side Waterford Glass.
1996 - 1997
A year of consolidation after the Bishopstown nightmare ended with a surprise Intertoto Cup qualification. After a disastrous start a late run was rewarded when City finished fourth. Along the way the team claimed a League Cup final place, but unexpectedly lost on aggregate to First Division Galway United. Crowds began to increase, and the Munster Cup was recaptured, but most importantly a lot of vital repair work was undertaken and the club appeared a lot stronger than 12 months earlier.
1997 - 1998
Unbeaten in three out of four Intertoto games, it was apparent that things had been tightened up on the pitch. The spirit had returned, colours were changed to red-and-white and the fans were growing in numbers. The missing ingredient was success and by season’s end Barry would provide that. League improvement continued with a creditable third place finish. The Munster Cup was retained but it was the FAI Cup that put Cork City back on the map after several lean and desperate years. Derek Coughlan’s goal against Shelbourne ensured City got their hands on the famous trophy for the very first time.
1998 - 1999
A home win against CSKA Kyiv augured well and so it proved. The best campaign for years saw an eight-game winning start to the league and a record 70 points accumulated from 33 matches. Incredibly, City had to accept runners-up medals behind St Patrick’s Athletic after a titanic contest between the pair. A great run in the League Cup brought the trophy home for the third time with victory over Shamrock Rovers. City were awarded the Munster Senior Cup when Waterford refused to play in the delayed final.
1999 - 2000
Once again City claimed a famous result in Europe, defeating IFK Gothenburg at the Cross. Hopes were high of another sustained challenge in the title race and for the second year the team finished runners-up, a full eleven points adrift of Shelbourne. Pat Morley equalled his own club record by hitting 20 league goals and at the end of it all Dave Barry announced his retirement. Former Shelbourne boss Colin Murphy was unveiled as his successor for the following season. Only the Munster Cup made its way to the City trophy cabinet, neighbours Cobh Ramblers beaten 5:0 in the decider.
2000 - 2001
Colin Murphy stayed for one Super Cup game before departing to Leicester City. In the lurch, the club brought Derek Mountfield in facing a UEFA Cup tie in Lausanne. Mountfield had a turbulent ride in his first managerial appointment, the team lacking consistency, goals and luck. After relative success in preceding seasons crowds again dwindled as the team struggled and the former Everton stalwart was sacked in January, after just six months in charge. Liam Murphy took over and the team embarked on a 13-game unbeaten run than brought an Intertoto ticket and a tenth Munster Cup success.
2001 - 2002
A controversial link-up with Premier Division side Leicester City and local outfit Mayfield United was not warmly received by the Cork fans. There were embarrassing home and away defeats against Liepajas on the European front. Inconsistency was again the bane of the team and another season of poor gates, with a mid-table finish and no decent FAI or League Cup run meant the club had reached another vital crossroads in its history. Yet again the Munster Cup offered meagre consolation from a difficult campaign. The board stepped down at season’s end and Brian Lennox assumed full control of the club.
2002 - 2003
A season of sharp contrasts that ended with Liam Murphy resigning. Gradually building a new side in his two years in charge Murphy produced a young team that was by equal measure breathtaking at home and dismal away. And yet success was within touching distance; a home FAI Cup semi-final defeat against a moderate Derry City in particular tore the heart out of what promised to be a glorious year. At the finish Europe proved beyond a side that could only muster a solitary win on the road, yet had started out brilliantly on home soil.
2003
Pat Dolan was unveiled as the new City boss as the club ushered in a new era of professionalism. On the pitch performances were mixed as new players were drafted and old hands released or retired. The biggest disappointment was probably an opening round FAI Cup defeat at home to Shelbourne and once again the Munster Senior Cup was the only trophy collected. Still, an Intertoto Cup spot was secured –a definite sign of improved standing compared to recent campaigns.