WHEN John Cleary explained the logic of Cork moving their home Division 2 league clash against Kildare in March to Páirc Uí Rinn, the Rebels boss said it was a ‘no-brainer’.

We’ll borrow Cleary’s words to describe Cork’s decision to switch their home games in the All-Ireland series from Páirc Uí Chaoimh to Páirc Uí Rinn: it’s a no-brainer, a move that just makes sense.

With the Munster championship over, attention now switches to the All-Ireland series, and its new format. 

First up for Cork is another meeting with Meath this season, this time in round one of the championship. Páirc Uí Rinn will host this game on Saturday, May 23rd, with an evening throw-in of 5.30pm, live on GAA+.

‘Following a request from team management the Cork versus Meath game will be played in Páirc Uí Rinn. Should Cork receive a home draw in either Round 2 or Round 3, these games will also take place in Páirc Uí Rinn,’ Cork GAA explained.

It’s easy to understand why Cork footballers want to play at the Boreenmanna Road venue – it’s the ideal ground for their games.

Much smaller than Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the tighter Páirc Uí Rinn ticks the box given the footballers’ attendance figures. It creates a better atmosphere. It’s more intimate. Also, the Rebels have enjoyed some great days out here in recent years. Cork stunned Donegal in sun-kissed Páirc Uí Rinn in 2024. Already this season, the Rebels beat both Meath – a good omen, perhaps – and Kildare at the venue on their way to promotion from Division 2.

‘Coming down the home stretch against Meath it was a huge help when the crowd got behind the team. We asked for it and it was there, so it was a no-brainer to come back here again,’ Cleary explained before Cork’s home win against Kildare at Páirc Uí Rinn in March.

‘We felt against Meath that there was a great atmosphere there. I think the crowd was about 6,000 or 6,500, but from where we were it looked like more. If you bring that type of crowd to Páirc Uí Chaoimh it can get lost a bit in the big stadium.’

Therein lies the conundrum for the Cork footballers – they don’t get the crowds to pack out Páirc Uí Chaoimh like the hurlers. When Cork beat Limerick in the Munster SFC quarter-final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the official attendance was just 4,709. Two weeks later, when the counties clashed in the Munster SHC at the same venue, it was in front of a sold-out crowd of 43,369.

But when Cork footballers defeated Meath (1-23 to 1-21) in the league at Páirc Uí Rinn in February, the attendance of 6,223 felt like more, roaring on their Rebels down the home straight. The fans will have a similar role to play with Meath coming back to Leeside.

With Páirc Uí Chaoimh also out of action on June 20th and 21st with the Zach Bryan concerts, it makes sense that Cork’s footballers are as comfortable as they can be at Páirc Uí Rinn to make home advantage count.