Cork council seeks ‘expressions of interest’ for land once earmarked for FAI ‘Centre of Excellence’

The failed FAI project in Glanmire was announced in 2015 to some fanfare by the then chief executive of the FAI John Delaney and the local authority

In July 2015, Cork County Council signed an agreement to lease land at Brooklodge, Glanmire, to the FAI for a ‘Centre of Excellence’ facility to nurture young soccer talent in the southern region. File picture: Larry Cummins

Cork County Council is to seek ‘expressions of interest’ for the bulk of the land it once earmarked for a failed FAI (Football Association of Ireland) project in Glanmire.

In July 2015, Cork County Council signed an agreement to lease land at Brooklodge, Glanmire, to the FAI for a ‘Centre of Excellence’ facility to nurture young soccer talent in the southern region. It was announced to some fanfare by the then chief executive of the FAI John Delaney and the local authority.

However, a couple of years later the FAI ran into financial difficulties and after much speculation about its resources to develop the proposed €12m facility, it announced in March 2023 that it wouldn’t be proceeding with the project.

FAI officials gave up any entitlements the association had for the 12.14-hectare (30-acre) site. In the meantime, the council decided to sublet a portion of the site to the local Riverstown Soccer Club.

Now it has been decided by the council to seek expressions of interest from other clubs and community associations for use of the remaining land.

This was conveyed to councillors attending a meeting of the Cobh Municipal District Council, which despite the city council boundary extension, still controls the Glanmire land bank.

It came on foot of a joint motion from Fine Gael councillor Antony Barry and Fianna Fáil councillor Sheila O’Callaghan, who said they were concerned the land has remained idle for so long.

Ms O’Callaghan urged that the municipal council would initiate the expression of interest and a public consultation process for the remaining unoccupied land.

“Everybody is very familiar with the situation, and it’s a pity to see it lying idle,” she said.

Fine Gael councillor Sinead Sheppard said the Glanmire area is hugely populated and has a lot of successful sporting groups who could do with a permanent home.

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"To see it idle so long is just insanity. It’s a prime location. With a heart and a half, there are groups which would love to have some of the land,” she said.

Ms O’Callaghan said there are sporting organisations in nearby Watergrasshill which could also do with a small portion of the land still available.

Municipal district officer Páraig Lynch said Riverstown FC have signed a sub-lease agreement for some of the land, but the initial main lease agreement was between Cork County Council and the FAI.

“Cork County Council is presently preparing an ‘expressions of interest’ public consultation process for the residual lands not proposed for use by Riverstown FC in this land bank and the (council) members will be kept updated as this project progresses,” Mr Lynch said.