Celtic FC will play Cork City FC in a friendly at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday, July 8th. [CorkBEO]
The match is expected to draw thousands of Celtic supporters from both Scotland and across Ireland, as the Scottish champions return to a country where they have a huge following.
This is Celtic’s first confirmed pre-season fixture, with more likely to be announced in the coming weeks. Champions League qualifiers await in August, meaning Brendan Rodgers’ side will use these summer games to get up to speed for another crucial campaign.
Celtic’s pre-season last summer included a mix of games in Scotland before they headed to the USA, where they faced DC United, Manchester City, and Chelsea.
The fixture at Páirc Uí Chaoimh—a venue typically used for GAA matches—will be a huge boost for Cork City, who will fit this match in between domestic fixtures against Shelbourne and Waterford in the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division.
It remains to be seen whether the full 45,000 capacity of the stadium, including terraces, will be available under UEFA regulations. However, given Celtic’s massive Irish support, a sell-out is expected.
This will be a special occasion for Cork City and a chance for Irish fans to see Celtic in action up close before their European campaign begins.
