Rugby club move to new ground in jeopardy

PLANS to move Cork Constitution Rugby Club to a new site in Douglas last night appeared to have fallen through, but talks are under way to upgrade its existing facilities.

The Irish Examiner understands that Cork Constitution and O’Callaghan Properties have entered discussions in recent weeks about redeveloping the rugby club’s existing premises in Temple Hill, Ballintemple, into a sports complex. Both Cork Constitution and O’Callaghan Properties said they were not in a position to comment on new discussions.

The move comes after Owen O’Callaghan’s plans to purchase 37 acres of land at Ballyorban in Douglas and move the rugby club there appeared to have fallen through. He had intended to pay Cork Constitution €26 million for the Temple Hill lands and redevelop them. However, O’Callaghan Properties are now involved in a legal row as he attempts to terminate the deal on the Ballyorban land.