Re: Re: Developments in Cork

O’Callaghan close to netting Cork Con deal

By Tommy Barker, Property Editor Irish Examiner
DEVELOPER Owen O’Callaghan is the closest of rival bidders to acquiring Cork Constitution’s grounds.

The relocation deal could net the club up to €30 million and top-notch replacement facilities.

Discussions have advanced considerably between O’Callaghan Properties and the club in the past week and a deal may be imminent, sources say.

City manager Joe Gavin last month came out very firmly on the club’s sale plan, saying the sporting lands would not be re-zoned for development and must be kept for sport or amenity purposes.

For any development to have a chance of succeeding at Temple Hill, there would have to be some sort of community/public gain and amenity offering.

Con’s land adjoins a corner site owned by Eircom, and the city council has confirmed plans to transform the five-acre Beaumont Quarry — which is just across the road — into a public park.

The rugby club, which is one of the most successful in the country, is in need of more space and practice pitches. They approached a number of developers last year with a view to selling their lands at Temple Hill.

The 12 acres are most likely to be developed for residential use if re-zoning can be achieved.

Cork Con was this week close to securing its hoped-for replacement lands at Ballyorban/Moneygourney, for up to seven new pitches and a sports pavilion.

Meanwhile, members of Douglas Golf Club are to vote at an EGM on Wednesday next, March 21, on whether or not they will accept a proposal from Castlelands Construction to sell their existing course for redevelopment, in return for a cash windfall and improved replacement facilities closer to Carrigaline.