Cork City FC awarded Premier Division Licence

Cork City FC have been awarded an Airtricity League Premier Division Licence for the 2012 Season, it was confirmed today.

The decision was announced after a meeting of the Independent Club Licensing Committee of the Football Association of Ireland.

Speaking to CorkCityFC.net, club licensing officer Éanna Buckley said: "I would like to thank everyone who was involved in the licensing process and who assisted in ensuring that the club met the required standards in all areas of the licensing application.

"Particular thanks must go to Laura Barry for her assistance with the financial side of the application."

Cork City chief executive Tim Murphy said:"We are pleased that the club has once again achieved a Premier Division licence.

"There is a lot of work involved in the licensing process, and I would like to thank our club licensing officer Éanna Buckley and Laura Barry, who put our application together."

Also today, the club’s shirt sponsor Clonakilty Blackpudding revealed the clubs’ new away strip (pictured).

The food company’s three-year sponsorship agreement will see the firm have its distinctive logo displayed on the new Cork City FC home and away strips.

"As a club, the recruitment of a new premier partner is of the utmost significance," said Murphy.

"To have secured a new sponsorship partner from Cork is an added bonus. It is fair to say everyone is aware of how the Clonakilty brand and business has grown and developed over the last number of years and certainly as a club we are looking forward to a productive relationship with Clonakilty Food Company over the next three years and into the future."

Commenting on the sponsorship partnership, Colette Twomey, managing director of Clonakilty Food Company said: "We are thrilled to have come on board with Cork City FC.

"As an independent family owned business, we can relate to the strong sense of community ethos within the club. We were particularly impressed by the resilience displayed by the club and its supporters during recent times of adversity and subsequent revival.

"We are delighted to be able to support the club and hopefully enable them push on to further success in the premier division in 2012.”