About Turners Cross
Constructed in the late 1800's, Turners Cross was originally a rugby ground, used by Cork Constitution Rugby and Cricket Club. During a Munster Rugby Cup game former Irish president Eamonn de Valera scored a penalty for Rockwell against Con! The Cross then hosted local GAA side Nemo Rangers for about a decade in the 1930's before the FAI secured a 98 year lease on the site in 1940. Cork Celtic have previously played on the site, but in 1980 the Munster Football Association became the latest owners of the only all-seated, all-covered ground in the country.
Following a year at Flower Lodge (Now known as Pairc Ui Rinn) Cork City began playing games at 'the Box' for a number of years. After a stint at Bishopstown stadium the club returned to the Cross in 1995 and haven't left since. In that time a number of improvements have been made to the ground. The Derrynane and St. Anne's ends have been seated and roofed, the Donie Forde Stand (Seen above) was constructed, and a press box built on top of the roof, and in 2005 the infamous 'Shed End' was demolished to make way for a more modern stand.
The stadium is the main stadium for local football, playing host to the majority of final and all inter-league games at every level. The Cross has also hosted a number of national finals, the 2008 Setanta Cup and 2011 League Cup being the most recent, as well as some 1994 European u16 Championship games and Irish u21 and women's internationals. Arjen Robben, Gael Clichy, Robert Enke, Robin van Persie, and Kevin Doyle. Despite the high levels of games played on the game, the ground won the Airtricity Pitch of the Year Award for 2011.
Following a year at Flower Lodge (Now known as Pairc Ui Rinn) Cork City began playing games at 'the Box' for a number of years. After a stint at Bishopstown stadium the club returned to the Cross in 1995 and haven't left since. In that time a number of improvements have been made to the ground. The Derrynane and St. Anne's ends have been seated and roofed, the Donie Forde Stand (Seen above) was constructed, and a press box built on top of the roof, and in 2005 the infamous 'Shed End' was demolished to make way for a more modern stand.
The stadium is the main stadium for local football, playing host to the majority of final and all inter-league games at every level. The Cross has also hosted a number of national finals, the 2008 Setanta Cup and 2011 League Cup being the most recent, as well as some 1994 European u16 Championship games and Irish u21 and women's internationals. Arjen Robben, Gael Clichy, Robert Enke, Robin van Persie, and Kevin Doyle. Despite the high levels of games played on the game, the ground won the Airtricity Pitch of the Year Award for 2011.
Away Fans
Away fans are housed on the left hand side of the St. Anne's End and are allocated a decent space under the newest roof in the stadium. They enter the gate at the Curragh Road end and walk down the back of the Derrynane, my advice is to use the toilet facilities and get your food before the start of the game, as half time queues can be long, and added with the walk down the back of the stand can be rather time consuming. The Stewards and Gardaí are always approachable while a Red Cross team are on standby before, during, and after the game. Depending on the size of the crowd, away fans can be asked to wait an extra five minutes after the game before being let out, and on the whole, the match-night experience for an away supporter is good at Turners Cross
Directions
From the Jack Lynch Tunnel: Go through the tunnel and continue straight on past turn-offs for Mahon and Carrigaline. After about 2km you'll see a turn off for the airport, take this turnoff and you will come to the Kinsale Road Roundabout, take the 3rd turn off (Signposted Turners Cross). Continue straight on this road for another 1.5km and the ground is on your left hand side.
From Patrick's Street: Travel down Patrick's Street, through Grand Parade and the South Mall, at the end of the South Mall turn right, over the bridge onto Anglesea Street, you will pass City Hall on your left. Continue on through the first two sets of lights until you reach a third set of lights on a crossroads. St. John's College is on your right, while a hospital will be on your left, and a pub 'Paddy the Farmers' will be opposite you. Turn right at this crossroads and continue past the first crossroads, you will see a bus depot on your left and at the next crossroads, turn left. Continue down 'Evergreen Road' until you reach a set of lights by the Turners Cross (An unmistakable white church), turn right and carry on for another 200m and the ground is on your right.
Transport Links: The No.8 and 7 bus both go from Dublin to Cork, the No. 40 travels from Rosslare and the No. 51 arrives at Cork from Galway. From the city the No.203 bus stops right outside the ground and costs (at time of writing) €1.70 for a single journey. Timetables are available on buseireann.ie,
From Patrick's Street: Travel down Patrick's Street, through Grand Parade and the South Mall, at the end of the South Mall turn right, over the bridge onto Anglesea Street, you will pass City Hall on your left. Continue on through the first two sets of lights until you reach a third set of lights on a crossroads. St. John's College is on your right, while a hospital will be on your left, and a pub 'Paddy the Farmers' will be opposite you. Turn right at this crossroads and continue past the first crossroads, you will see a bus depot on your left and at the next crossroads, turn left. Continue down 'Evergreen Road' until you reach a set of lights by the Turners Cross (An unmistakable white church), turn right and carry on for another 200m and the ground is on your right.
Transport Links: The No.8 and 7 bus both go from Dublin to Cork, the No. 40 travels from Rosslare and the No. 51 arrives at Cork from Galway. From the city the No.203 bus stops right outside the ground and costs (at time of writing) €1.70 for a single journey. Timetables are available on buseireann.ie,
Parking
Parking at the ground can be made difficult if the Munster Rugby team are playing at the nearby Musgrave Park. Parking is usually best sought by Woodies DIY on the Curragh Road, or the avenues behind the Derrynane End of the ground (Derrynane, Doyle and Fr. Matthew Roads). Parking can also be got along the Tory Top Road. Parking is not advised in the car park of Woodies or the nearby Aldi as they can be closed, or in the Mercier or Slieve Mish Parks.
Food & Drink
Outside the Ground: The nearby Dino's chipper on Evergreen Road serves up some good grub and isn't expensive (Around €7-8 for a burger, chips and drink). Unfortunately the area lacks sit-in restaurants but the local shop Mace does have an extensive Deli for those who don't fancy chips.
Pubs: To make up for the lack of food, Turners Cross has a wealth of pubs to choose from. The Horseshoe pub is located on the doorstep of the ground, but local bars, the Evergreen and the Beergarden (Who do complimentary finger food post game) are all very popular amongst the City faithful and are safe and friendly places to enjoy a pint whether supporting the Rebel Army or not.
Inside the Ground: Turners Cross has two chippers, and three shops inside the ground (One of each behind the Curragh Road End and between the Curragh Road and Donie Forde stands, and another shop between the Donie Forde and St Annes End) The chippers serve the usual menu of burgers, battered sausages and chips and does the job just fine, while drinks, sweets, crisps and ice-creams are available of those enjoying summer soccer!
Pubs: To make up for the lack of food, Turners Cross has a wealth of pubs to choose from. The Horseshoe pub is located on the doorstep of the ground, but local bars, the Evergreen and the Beergarden (Who do complimentary finger food post game) are all very popular amongst the City faithful and are safe and friendly places to enjoy a pint whether supporting the Rebel Army or not.
Inside the Ground: Turners Cross has two chippers, and three shops inside the ground (One of each behind the Curragh Road End and between the Curragh Road and Donie Forde stands, and another shop between the Donie Forde and St Annes End) The chippers serve the usual menu of burgers, battered sausages and chips and does the job just fine, while drinks, sweets, crisps and ice-creams are available of those enjoying summer soccer!
Accommodation
Cheap accommodation is to be found in the city. Brú and Sheila's Hostel (Both located near McCurtain Street) are great value, and quite cheap. For those who prefer something more salubrious, the Clarion Hotel has been receiving excellent reviews, while there are a number of B&B's around the Turners Cross area (Eagleville B&B is located at the foot of the ground). For those who want a quick getaway, the local Ibis hotel is located a minute from both the M8 and N25 roads.