Turners Cross (stadium)
Encyclopedia
Turners Cross is an all-seater football
stadium located in and synonymous with the district of Turners Cross
, Cork
, Ireland
. It is home to the Munster Football Association
, and League of Ireland
side Cork City FC.
It was the first all seated, all covered stadium in Ireland following redevelopment in 2009, and it is currently one of only two, the other being the new Aviva Stadium
.
sees a large volume of matches every year - these include League of Ireland
games as well as local, regional, national, and international matches and cup finals at schoolboy, junior, intermediate, senior, and underage international level.
stadia and is now the only all covered, all seated stadium in Ireland.
The current configuration of the stadium includes the 1,900 seater covered "Donie Forde" stand - which holds team dressing rooms, the stadium control box, press broadcasting area, and the family section. This is faced by the 1,185 seater covered "Derrynane Road" stand.
At the western end of the ground is the recently covered St. Anne's Stand which has a capacity of approximately 2,800. The newest stand is at the eastern end, on a site previously occupied by "The Shed" covered terracing and a club shop. "The Shed" previously held over 2,500 supporters and was home to Cork City F.C.'s more vocal fans. This newly developed section seats 1,600 and was opened in March 2007.
and was the previous home of Cork soccer. This ground was subsequently sold to the Gaelic Athletic Association
, and renamed Páirc Uí Rinn
, for Christy Ring
, a famous County Cork
hurler
.
Cork Constitution
, then a rugby and cricket club, was the first club to lease the Turners Cross grounds in 1897. (A once popular trivia question was "Which President of Ireland
scored a penalty at Turner's Cross?" The answer is Éamon de Valera
(1882–1975) who in his early years played rugby
for Rockwell. The penalty in question was during a Rockwell vs Cork Constitution
rugby match in the Munster Cup.)
Turners Cross was home ground for the local GAA club Nemo Rangers
in the 1930s. In June 1940 the FAI negotiated a 98 year lease on Turner's Cross with owner Helena O'Sullivan.
In 1977 then League of Ireland side Cork Celtic F.C.
looked for a longer lease on the ground only to be refused by the FAI who were unable to find the property owner. The ground passed into the hands of the Munster Football Association in the 1980s.
Turner's Cross has never hosted a full men's senior international; the closest in recent time was a "B" fixture against England
in 1990. Elsewhere in Cork, Flower Lodge hosted a full international on the 26th of May 1985 between Ireland and Spain
(0:0), while The Mardyke entertained Ireland vs Hungary
in 1939 (2:2). The stadium has however hosted eight Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team games and other international underage games - including games in the 1994 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship
.
Soccer, rugby
, Gaelic games
, boxing
and gymkhana
events have been held at Turner's Cross over the years.
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
stadium located in and synonymous with the district of Turners Cross
Turners Cross, Cork
Turner's Cross is a ward on the south side of Cork City, and home to the Roman Catholic parish of the same name.Largely residential, one of the key features of the area is the iconic church created by architect Barry Byrne and sculptor John Storrs, the Church of Christ The King. It was...
, Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is home to the Munster Football Association
Munster Football Association
The Munster Football Association or MFA is charged with the administration of association football in the Irish province of Munster by the FAI. The headquarters of the association, Turners Cross is also the home of League of Ireland side Cork City FC. Founded in 1922, there are currently 13 leagues...
, and League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
side Cork City FC.
It was the first all seated, all covered stadium in Ireland following redevelopment in 2009, and it is currently one of only two, the other being the new Aviva Stadium
Aviva Stadium
The Aviva Stadium is a sports stadium located in Dublin, Ireland, with a capacity for 50,000 spectators. The stadium is built on the site of the old Lansdowne Road venue, which was demolished in 2007, and replaces that stadium as home to its chief tenants: the Irish rugby union team and the...
.
Use
The stadiumStadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
sees a large volume of matches every year - these include League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
games as well as local, regional, national, and international matches and cup finals at schoolboy, junior, intermediate, senior, and underage international level.
Facilities
For many years Turners Cross was little more than a pitch with a few grassy banks and a covered terrace euphemistically called "The Shed". However, in the last 10 years the stadium has been transformed into one of the finer League of IrelandLeague of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
stadia and is now the only all covered, all seated stadium in Ireland.
The current configuration of the stadium includes the 1,900 seater covered "Donie Forde" stand - which holds team dressing rooms, the stadium control box, press broadcasting area, and the family section. This is faced by the 1,185 seater covered "Derrynane Road" stand.
At the western end of the ground is the recently covered St. Anne's Stand which has a capacity of approximately 2,800. The newest stand is at the eastern end, on a site previously occupied by "The Shed" covered terracing and a club shop. "The Shed" previously held over 2,500 supporters and was home to Cork City F.C.'s more vocal fans. This newly developed section seats 1,600 and was opened in March 2007.
History
While known locally and amongst fans as "The Cross", the ground has also been nicknamed "The Box" in the past. This accounts for the title of Plunkett Carter's book on Cork soccer, From The Lodge to The Box, where 'the lodge' refers to 'Flower Lodge'. Flower Lodge was originally owned by the Ancient Order of HiberniansAncient Order of Hibernians
The Ancient Order of Hibernians is an Irish Catholic fraternal organization. Members must be Catholic and either Irish born or of Irish descent. Its largest membership is now in the United States, where it was founded in New York City in 1836...
and was the previous home of Cork soccer. This ground was subsequently sold to the Gaelic Athletic Association
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
, and renamed Páirc Uí Rinn
Páirc Uí Rinn
Páirc Uí Rinn is a stadium in Cork owned by the Gaelic Athletic Association . It was formerly Flower Lodge, a soccer ground home to several Cork teams in the 20th century, named after a Big House on whose grounds it was built.-Flower Lodge:...
, for Christy Ring
Christy Ring
Nicholas Christopher Michael Ring , better known as Christy Ring, was a famous Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with the Glen Rovers club from 1941 until 1967 and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1963. Ring is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers in...
, a famous County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
hurler
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
.
Cork Constitution
Cork Constitution
Cork Constitution is a club, based in Cork. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution. Since the paper did not publish on Sundays, the staff were looking for activities to pursue on Saturday afternoons. In the summer, cricket was played, while in the winter, rugby was the designated...
, then a rugby and cricket club, was the first club to lease the Turners Cross grounds in 1897. (A once popular trivia question was "Which President of Ireland
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
scored a penalty at Turner's Cross?" The answer is Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
(1882–1975) who in his early years played rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
for Rockwell. The penalty in question was during a Rockwell vs Cork Constitution
Cork Constitution
Cork Constitution is a club, based in Cork. It was founded by staff of the Cork Constitution. Since the paper did not publish on Sundays, the staff were looking for activities to pursue on Saturday afternoons. In the summer, cricket was played, while in the winter, rugby was the designated...
rugby match in the Munster Cup.)
Turners Cross was home ground for the local GAA club Nemo Rangers
Nemo Rangers GAA
Nemo Rangers Hurling and Football Club is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club on the southside of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1922 and is primarily concerned with the game of Gaelic football, though interest in hurling has escalated in recent years.-History:Nemo Rangers...
in the 1930s. In June 1940 the FAI negotiated a 98 year lease on Turner's Cross with owner Helena O'Sullivan.
In 1977 then League of Ireland side Cork Celtic F.C.
Cork Celtic F.C.
Cork Celtic F.C. were a Irish football club based in Cork. They played in the League of Ireland between 1959 and 1979 and played their home games at Turners Cross. The club had previously played in the league as Evergreen United...
looked for a longer lease on the ground only to be refused by the FAI who were unable to find the property owner. The ground passed into the hands of the Munster Football Association in the 1980s.
Turner's Cross has never hosted a full men's senior international; the closest in recent time was a "B" fixture against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
in 1990. Elsewhere in Cork, Flower Lodge hosted a full international on the 26th of May 1985 between Ireland and Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
(0:0), while The Mardyke entertained Ireland vs Hungary
Hungarian Football Federation
The Hungarian Football Federation is the governing body of football in Hungary. It organizes the Hungarian league and the Hungarian national team. It is based in Budapest.György Szepesi was Chairman of the Hungarian Football Association from 1978 to 1986....
in 1939 (2:2). The stadium has however hosted eight Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team games and other international underage games - including games in the 1994 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship
1994 UEFA European Under-16 Football Championship
-----Group B:---------------------Group C:---------------------Group D:---------------------Quarterfinals:-------------Semifinals:-----Third Place Playoff:-Final:-References:**...
.
Soccer, rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
, Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
, boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
and gymkhana
Gymkhana
Gymkhana is a typical Anglo-Indian expression, which is derived from the Hindi-Urdu word for "racket court," is an Indian term which originally referred to a place where sporting events take place. The meaning then altered to denote a place where skill-based contests were held...
events have been held at Turner's Cross over the years.