TURNER'S CROSS STADIUM Turners Cross, Cork, is a modern…read more7,000 capacity stadium with seating on the four sides of the ground and floodlight facilities. It is the headquarters of the Munster Football Association which runs football, under the Football Association of Ireland, in the province. The compact ground, which boats an excellent surface, is the home stadium of Cork City Foras Co-op, the local national league team. It is also used for many local finals, from schoolboys to non-league adults. Most of these are held in May (see local press), some in April and June, and often provide good entertainment. Some national non-league finals, such as Intermediate Cup and Munster Junior and Youths Cup, are held there and my most recent visit (yesterday) was for the national semi-final of the Oscar Traynor Inter-League championship between Cork and Clare. Phone: 021 4311526

MAYFIELD UTD FC I regularly get queries from people coming…read moreto live and study in Cork as to what football club they should join. Mayfield Utd is one, of several, to be considered. I will be adding others soon. Mayfield is one of the biggest amateur football clubs in Cork City and County. The club has outstanding facilities, including several grass pitches, one full sized FIFA approved all-weather pitch and a very large clubhouse. The friendly community based club - its motto is Noblesse Oblige - is based in Lotamore and was founded in the summer of 1971. Many of the founders are still active in the club but there is much needed new blood there nowadays as Mayfield caters for a large range of footballers from kids to adults (including fielding a team in the Over 35 Floodlit league). http://www.mayfieldunited.com/ asaville@tycoint.com

Excellent facility for a wet Irish day with a two year old. Perks has a full indoor playground…read morecomplete with two-storeys. Filled with slides, ball pools and soft climbing area - my daughter just loved it.

LAKEWOOD ATHLETIC On the lookout for a soccer club on the…read morewestern side of the city? Lakewood Athletic, founded as a company team in 1981, is now perhaps the biggest soccer club in the area. They now have more than 600 playing members and field 35 teams in various competitions in 5 different leagues. Schoolboys, schoolgirls, men's and ladies teams have all tasted considerable success at local, national and international tournaments in recent seasons and they have produced a number of internationals. Highlights: winning the U14 Boys National Cup in 2004 and the U14 Girls Munster Cup in 2005. Facilities: Number of Pitches: 2 full-size and 2 academy pitches. Other facilities: Floodlit training pitch, floodlit all weather training pitch, 6 dressing rooms, showers and meeting room. http://www.lakewoodathleticfc.ie/ Noel Mullins 087-9864585

A very convenient, clean and comfortable hotel for visiting UCC. Breakfast wasn't great, but it…read morewasn't terrible (typical full Irish, but served by very pleasant staff). Check-in staff were very helpful, parking was plentiful, and room very large, quiet, clean and modern. Excellent value for single (I was given a room with 2 double beds) at only €75 per night. Great simming pool for the kids with constant lifeguard supervision from 7am to 7pm. Other activities like mini-golf and tennis included as well as a children's activity program. The leisure facilities (pool, etc.) are available for guests and members. About a 10 minute walk from the university-- a nicer place to stay than local B&Bs on the busy road, I think. Brookfield Leisure Centre - Find more information about Brookfield Leisure Centre on: http://gyms-in-cork.blogspot.com Get real opinions, photos, reviews, membership price and a full list of Gyms in Cork

CURRAHEEN PARK GREYHOUND STADIUM Enjoyed quite a few good…read morenights at the old place on the Western Road but nowadays Corkonians go to the dogs in some style at the Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium. You don't even have to be a doggie man or woman as it is possible to have a top class meal here and do your betting on the spot, isolated from the elements and the smells and the yelping, though I'm sure some true blood doggie people would prefer to be down at the track side. Still, the punters have spoken, and comfort and convenience, along with a whole lot of efficiency, is what we respond to in 2010. And you will find it here. A friendly welcome at the stiles and then up you go to pick out your comfortable seated viewing point, with the bar close at hand, betting points at every corner and some won't even have to leave the seat to bet as mobile assistants are at hand. And if you haven't laid a bet in a long while, the process is clearly explained on the inside cover of the Race Book for the night, which comes free at the entrance. Big screens all over the place with loads of information on the field before the race, on the betting, on the results and on the pay-outs. The racing and betting from Shelbourne Park is also covered on-screen and they even had the Liverpool European game on screen there last night. And the night illustrated another aspect of the stadium as the progressive management here are only too willing to work with charities and clubs to enhance their funds. I was there to support the Haven meeting in aid of Haiti and it turned out to be very enjoyable. Must admit I was a bit like some of the dogs and flattered to deceive, Make a good start with the Tote but the winnings rapidly reduced as the night went on. Probably ended up evens but the real winners on the night were Haven Haiti and well done to the volunteer fund-raisers: Deirdre, Renate, Julia, Cathy and Louise. Address: Curraheen Road, Bishopstown. Tel: 1890 269 969 Web: http://www.igb.ie

I've been karting many times, both indoors and outdoors, love it! I had always known about the…read moreLimerick track owned by the same company but I never managed to make the journey up. Once I heard that they had opened a track in Cork I knew I had to make an appearance! I got a group of 8 of us together and books us in for a 30 minute session. For an indoor track it was nothing like I had ever seen before, it has different floors, cool neon lighting, even the viewing area was something different and impressive as you actually can stand on a platform which the karts drive under. The karts are nice and quick but there aren't too many long straights to build up much speed as there are a lot of bends and quick turns. At the start of the race we found the track a little bit slippy, but the tyres got better the warmer they got. The other great thing is they have 4 stewards around the track so if you spin out one of them will spot you and get you back driving asap. Overall we had a great bit of fun down there. It's a really professional set up and I'd definitely come back.

Leisureworld is one of the public gyms in Cork...but gives the impression of being more than that!…read more I headed here when I was between gym memberships when I lived in Cork and will still pop in if I'm back down. They are one of the few gyms in the city to offer pay-as-you-go which is really handy. It's not overwhelmingly cheap to do so, but competitive....at €8.20 for the gym at peak times-there's a student rate of €3.80 off peak if you have a card. Full price list here: http://churchfield.leisureworldcork.com/index.cfm/page/prices. The fees for annual membership aren't particularly low either, but there are often specials on. The pool is great-clean with dedicated lane swimming. There's a slide and a lovely kiddie pool with buildings to climb on! Nice shiny steam room and sauna too. The gym is quite small but has been spotless anytime I've visited. It can get quite busy but it's usually possible to get on whatever you want. The main gym overlooks the city and is filled with light. Individual TVs make time on the elliptical less yawnsome...although there is no way of adjusting the volume on the sets. They have recently moved heavier weights into a separate room which has pros (like increased equipment provided) and cons (more awkward to do circuits etc). Good range of classes provided-took a couple of challenging circuit and bootcamp ones. Staff are friendly and will help if you want...or leave you to your own devices if you'd prefer. Massage services are also available onsite and the gym is part of a GP referral programme. Major wins are the cleanliness and ability to pay per visit. It's a happy place!