The Cork City FC ‘Rebel Army’ team will don these rainbow-numbered Adidas t-shirts at a match against St. Patrick’s Athletic for the SSE Airtricity League on Friday, August 2, two days before the Cork Pride Parade that Sunday.

Cork City FC has partnered with Cork Pride to show inclusiveness and build awareness for the various events taking place over the next few weeks as part of the Cork Pride LGBT+ Festival, which was launched outside City Hall on Wednesday, July 17.

Chairperson of Cork City FC Declan Carey enthusiastically remarks, “We’re delighted to partner with the Cork Pride Festival this year. The Cork Pride committee and FORAS have a lot in common in terms of community spirit, inclusiveness and pride in Cork!”.

As a volunteer-driven organisation with several teams, this support from an esteemed club will certainly boost Cork Pride’s events locally.

Furthermore, the t-shirts will be auctioned on eBay throughout August after the match, with all proceeds raised being used towards Cork Pride’s inclusiveness projects. Chairperson of the Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival Clive Davis has shown his appreciation for Cork City FC’s actions, commenting that this simple yet effective show of solidarity “will start conversations and raise the profile of not only the work the LGBT community has done but the work that is left to do.”

This marks the first time a League of Ireland club has shown this level of support for the LGBT+ community, particularly historic given the sports industry’s notoriety for homophobia and transphobia. Especially as local football clubs can act as the root of communities, it is essential that everyone feels welcome in sport. Cork City FC has clearly strived to achieve this, with teams for senior and amputated players. This show of support for the LGBT+ community only affirms their commitment to inclusiveness and acceptance.