Land to be rezoned for €10m FAI Munster soccer school

Cork City FC and its fans have welcomed councillors’ decision to rezone land for a €10m FAI project which will provide a centre of excellence for young players throughout Munster.

Cork county councillors voted unanimously yesterday to rezone the land at Brooklodge, Glanmire, Co Cork, for the project.

The rezoning from industrial to recreational land is expected to pave the way for planning permission to be granted for the development shortly, especially as the local authority owns the land and senior council officials have made no secret of the fact they fully back the project.

Pat Lyons, chairman of Cork City FC and its supporting body, Foras, said the FAI project on a 30-acre site, would also provide his club with a permanent training home for all its players.

“Since its inception in 2007 and its acquisition of CCFC in 2010, Foras has been working to acquire a training base and permanent home for the football club,” said Mr Lyons. “We have finally seen this dream realised finally and want to thank the FAI and the county councillors.”

The FAI plans to develop a number of training pitches on the site, including one full-size artificial pitch, changing rooms, cafeteria, viewing stands, offices, and boardroom. It will also widen local roads and put in additional footpaths and lighting.

Cork County Council will lease the site for a nominal fee to the FAI which will in turn sub-let it to Foras, which will run the facility on its behalf.

“This will allow Foras to provide state-of-the-art facilities not just for its senior team but also for its underage teams as well as Cork Women’s FC,” said Mr Lyons. “The development of the centre of excellence will allow the FAI to provide a pathway for players of all ages, coaches, referees and administrators that will allow them to participate and fulfill their potential in the sport.

“I am delighted that Foras, with its community ethos, has been able to secure the continuance of senior League of Ireland football in Cork, supported by our trustees, volunteers, local businesses, and our dedicated fans.”

The rezoning was also welcomed by a soccer-mad former senator who was very instrumental in the FAI plans.

John Gilroy, who lives in Glanmire, said he was aware of the site for some time and in 2013 spoke to the FAI about its potential.

“The then minister for the environment, Alan Kelly, was very supportive of this idea and having sought his advice and support we approached Cork County Council to see if there was a possibility of acquiring the land to develop the centre,” said Mr Gilroy. “The county manager and his officials immediately saw the potential for such a centre and agreed to support the proposal.”