Turners Cross Stadium - Cork City Stadium Guide

The site on which today’s Turners Cross Stadium sits has been used for sport as far back as the mid 19th century with Cork Constitution being the first recorded sports club to lease the ground on a permanent basis starting in 1897. Primarily a rugby and cricket club, it wasn’t until Munster Football Association acquired the ground in the 1980s that Cork City eventually became full-time residents.

Originally consisting of very rudimentary facilities including one section of covered terrace known as “The Shed”, the ground today is one of the finest in Irish Football. Turners Cross holds the distinction of currently being the only all-seater, four-sided stadium in Irish Football with the exception of The Aviva which is only used to host national matches.

Redeveloped over a two year period between 2007-2009 the ground has come along way from when it was nicknamed “The Box” in the 1930s when it was leased by GAA Club Nemo Rangers in the 1930s. The current capacity of 7,485 is achieved through the construction of four stands with the largest of them all known as St Anne’s Stand which has a capacity of 2,800.

As is the case for most football stadiums in both Ireland and the United Kingdom, the record attendance in most cases is almost all but guaranteed to be historic due to introduction of more stringent safety measures following high-profile stadium disasters such as Hillsborough. Although the ground has sold out since reopening, the current attendance record of 12,000 was set on 21st April 1991 against Dundalk F.C.

To date The Cross has yet to host a full men’s international match of the national team, however it has hosted European Football in the last 30 years or so. The highest profile opponents were arguably Bayern Munich back in the 1991-1992 UEFA Cup followed by Galatasaray a few seasons later with FC Haka from Finland the most recent opponents in 2008.

View of Turners Cross Stadium

The Cross Stadium is comprised of four stands: North, East, South and West.

Click the thumbnails above to enlarge an image of each stand and to read a more detailed description of each part of the Stadium.

Away fans are located in St Anne’s End behind the westernmost goal.

The two closest pubs to Turners Cross, The Horshoe Inn and Turners Cross Tavern are usually the preserve of home supporters, and thus it’s advisable to drink in Cork City centre instead where there are lots of decent boozers.

Closest to the station there is the unassuming Abbot’s Alehouse which can be relied upon for a decent beer, and then as you cross the River Lee southwards there is The Long Valley and The Oliver Plunkett which are two further examples of classic Irish boozers.

As you begin your journey by foot, and exit the city centre there is The Capwell Sports Bar and Coughlands Bar which are often quite popular. Located south of St John’s Central College they’re not quite as traditional as some of the other pubs, however they offer well-priced booze and are conveniently placed on-route.

There are a handful of food concession stalls dotted around the ground which sell a variety of warm food, drinks and confectionery on matchdays.

Cork City Club Shop

Cork City have operated a club shop within Douglas Village Shopping Centre since June 2011, and it is easily the best place to purchase official merchandise with the exception of the small stalls on matchdays located at the Curragh Road end of the ground.

Opening Times:

• Monday – Saturday: 11.00 am – 5.00 pm
• Sundays and bank holidays: Closed

For more information or to confirm opening times you can either phone the club on (085) 8869072 or send an email to [email protected].

It doesn’t appear as if Cork City currently offer fans a guided tour of the facilities at Turners Cross, but if this ever changes we’ll be sure to update. Remember that there’s unreserved seating which means you can wonder around, and see most of the stands etc.

The Cross is located around 20 minutes south of Cork’s historic city centre close to the South Link main Road, approximately 1.5 miles away.

The address for satnav is as follows:

• Cork City Football Club, Turner’s Cross, Cork, Ireland

Cork Railway Station is located approximately 2.5 km north of Turners Cross, and is more than walkable within half an hour based on an average page. Sometimes referred to as Cork Kent Station it first opened in 1893 and has frequent services to and from Dublin.

There really aren’t any hotels within the immediate vicinity of Cork City FC’s stadium which means you’ll have to make your way back to the city centre. Here you will find a range of options to suit all budgets including The Imperial Hotel, Jurys Inn, and the Maldron Hotel Cork. There is also the Brú Bar & Hostel which offers “no-frills lodging”.