UCC and Cork City FC extend partnership to 2022

5 Feb 2019

University College Cork (UCC), Mardyke Arena, and Cork City Football Club (Cork City FC) are delighted to announce an agreement of an extension to their partnership, for a further three years to 2022.

The partnership includes front and rear jersey sponsorship, player fitness, training and rehabilitation support and university scholarships and educational supports for Cork City FC men's players. In addition, the agreement now extends to academic scholarship support by UCC to the women’s team players.

“Sport is very much in the DNA of UCC,” commented Professor Patrick O’Shea, President, UCC. “This partnership of sport, fitness and education has been a wonderful experience since we came together in 2016.  Education combined with sport has huge potential for personal development and this partnership is a unique example of UCC’s continued expansion of its regional engagement with sporting partners and the wider community.”

Paul Wycherley, Cork City FC's General Manager said: “This partnership is we believe one of the best, if not the best, partnerships of any sporting club in Ireland, which we are very proud of. Just like UCC strives to be top of the table in the education sector in Ireland and renowned internationally, our aim is to be the best football club in Ireland on and off the pitch and competing in Europe. We have shown in recent years, in line with this partnership, that is where we belong. The announcement of this extension will enable us to continue this and grow as a football club, owned by fans and fully engaged in our community. The facilities at the Mardyke Arena are world class and we have a great relationship with their excellent staff.”

Patsy Ryan, Mardyke Arena’s General Manager said, “Mardyke Arena UCC are delighted to extend for another three years our partnership arrangement with Cork City FC. Our partnership has to date been a huge success and we look to building on this success in the coming years.”

UCC Director of Sport Morgan Buckley welcomed the continued partnership with football in Cork, “We look forward to developing and promoting football here in the University with Cork City and our very successful soccer programmes with UCC Soccer."