Páirc Uí Rinn (),áircUí also known as Páirc Chríostóir Uí Rinn, is a Gaelic Athletic Association stadium located between Ballinlough and Ballintemple in Cork. It was previously known as Flower Lodge and was used as an association football stadium. During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, Flower Lodge served as the home ground of three League of Ireland clubs – Cork Hibernians, Albert Rovers and Cork City. It also hosted friendly matches featuring Manchester United, Liverpool and the Republic of Ireland national football team. In 1989 it was purchased by Cork GAA and subsequently renamed after Christy Ring, a former Cork and Glen Rovers hurler. During the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, Páirc Uí Rinn has served as Cork GAA's second home after Páirc Uí Chaoimh. It regularly hosts National Hurling League, National Football League, National Camogie League and All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship fixtures.
History
Early years
In 1947 members of AOH F.C., the association football club of the Ancient Order of Hibernians which later became Cork Hibernians, formed a committee to acquire a ground for the club. The AOH subsequently purchased 11.5 acres at Flower Lodge, a local big house, for £5,800. To further raise funds to develop the ground, the committee also organised lotteries and football pools and held fundraising dances at Cork City Hall featuring, among others, Joe Loss and Victor Silvester. An English grounds expert was employed, a Cork firm undertook the work of laying the pitch and an elaborate drainage system was also installed. The first competitive game at the ground was played in February 1957 when Sligo Rovers defeated AOH F.C. 1–0 in a 1956–57 FAI Cup first-round game.
League of Ireland era
AOH F.C. changed their name to Cork Hibernians and joined the League of Ireland for the 1957–58 season. They initially played their League of Ireland games at The Mardyke before moving to Flower Lodge for the 1962–63 season. They continued to play at Flower Lodge until they withdrew from the league at the end of the 1975–76 season. During this era Cork Hibernians were 1970–71 League of Ireland champions. Flower Lodge hosted several European games featuring Cork Hibernians, including in a 1970–71 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup game against Valencia and a 1973–74 European Cup Winners' Cup game against Baník Ostrava. Cork Hibernians also won the 1972–73 FAI Cup after defeating Shelbourne 1–0 in a replayed final at the Flower Lodge. In 1973–74 Flower Lodge also hosted the LFA President's Cup final which saw Cork Hibernians lose 2–0 to Waterford.
On 28 December 1975 Cork Celtic also staged one significant 1975–76 League of Ireland home game against Drogheda United at Flower Lodge. The occasion marked the League of Ireland debut of George Best. In expectation of a big crowd, Cork Celtic moved the game from their regular home ground, Turners Cross, to the much larger Flower Lodge. An estimated 12,500 fans turned out, with Celtic receiving over £6,000 in gate receipts. Three other Cork clubs who played in the League of Ireland also played home games at Flower Lodge. When Albert Rovers replaced Cork Hibernians in the League of Ireland, they also replaced them as tenants at Flower Lodge. They continued playing there from 1976 until 1980, playing under the names Cork Albert and Cork Alberts. In their 1982–83 FAI Cup semi-final four match marathon encounter with Sligo Rovers, Cobh Ramblers played their two home ties at Flower Lodge. When Cork City joined the League of Ireland they spent their first two seasons, 1984–85 and 1985–86, playing at Flower Lodge. The last game Cork City played at Flower Lodge was a 1985–86 FAI Cup semi-final tie against Shamrock Rovers.