The All-Ireland hurling quarter-finals were finally confirmed for Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Monday after what seemed like an eternity, for Cork supporters especially, waiting for the stadium to re-open.
The €70 million redevelopment of the home of Cork GAA commenced in 2015, and was projected to be completed in time for the Munster football and hurling deciders, but the rebuilding job didn't meet those dates.
The rejuvenation of the stadium is now nearing completion, and there have been rumours that the re-opening will take place with a Cork Round 3 senior hurling Championship clash between Glen Rovers and Cork IT.
The last game held at the stadium was the 2014 Munster football final in which Kerry defeated Cork by 0-24 to 0-12.
The new stadium, which has a boosted capacity of 45'000, will host the hurling quarter-finals between Tipperary and Clare on Saturday 22nd and Wexford and Waterford on 23rd July.
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The GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee gave Páirc Uí Chaoimh the go-ahead to host the games on Monday, and this decision, according to the
Irish Examiner, will be worth over €25 million to the city.
The games were initially expected to be a double-header, but with the huge fanbase, that the involved teams, particularly Wexford, bring with them, there were fears that the grounds wouldn't cope with the huge crowds that it would bring.
"We've been waiting for this for a long time," said Rae Kennedy, the chairman of the Vintners Federation of Ireland’s Cork branch.
"It obviously gives the whole city a lift, everyone gets a rub off it," he continued.
He went on to claim that the spin-off trade that accompanies such big Championship games being held at the ground was hugely missed by the city from a trade and business perspective.
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Páirc Uí Chaoimh is a well-renowned concert venue also, and this is also a huge benefit to the Cork economy, especially after Ed Sheeran
confirmed extra dates on Tuesday morning in the stadium for his tour of Ireland next May.
Each major game held at the stadium, according to the Cork County Board is €12.5 million to the Cork economy and concerts are believed to be worth a similar amount.
It's been a great few days for Cork GAA, and now the county in general, after the Rebel's
double Munster triumph on Sunday.
