Páirc Uí Chaoimh’s unavailability means the Cork-Donegal fixture will instead be staged at Páric Uí Rinn, the first time the Cork footballers will play a league or championship fixture at the county’s secondary home since the controversial 2022 Munster semi-final against Kerry. Páirc Uí Chaoimh was similarly out of commission on that occasion because of pitch remedial work following a pair of Ed Sheeran gigs the week previous.

“I don't think so,” replied Cleary when asked if there was any drawback in having to play their home fixture at Páirc Uí Rinn and not Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“We've played a lot of times here at Páirc Uí Rinn and we do a lot of our training here, so I don't think it is. There should be a great atmosphere.

“I was in Clones on Sunday (for the Ulster final) and it's probably slightly bigger, but the atmosphere was fantastic. Hopefully we'll get something similar here in a couple of weeks' time.” 

Announcing last November that Páirc Uí Rinn would be Cork’s nominated home venue for the 2024 All-Ireland group series, Cork GAA CEO Kevin O’Donovan told a county board meeting that their financial position meant Páirc Uí Chaoimh concerts, even at the height of championship, had to be considered.

“It is not viable to rule out concerts in any particular time of the year, but again, with minimum effect on our teams. Our hurlers are not affected in any way by Bruce Springsteen.” 

O’Donovan’s comments marked a departure from what then county board chairman Marc Sheehan had said a year earlier.

After the April 2022 Ed Sheeran gigs discommoded both the Cork hurlers and footballers - the hurlers had to play their Munster SHC Round 3 home game against Clare at Thurles - Sheehan said a Cork team will never again be forced out of Páirc Uí Chaoimh at championship-time because of a concert.

“Concerts will be and have to be very much part of the calendar here in Páirc Uí Chaoimh into the future, but we will be ensuring that those concerts won’t be in conflict with our senior inter-county teams and their championship dates. That is important to clarify,” Sheehan told the 2022 May board meeting. His three-year term as chairman ended last year, succeeded by Pat Horgan.