Cork City have tied up an exciting new partnership with Fota Wildlife Park, which will see the famous park become the Official Family Partner of the club.

Fota Wildlife Park are to run a number of promotions in conjunction with the club over the course of the season, including a prize for the best dressed young City fan at Turner's Cross at each home game. The winner of this competition will receive a family pass for Fota Wildlife Park.

Stephen Ryan, Head of Marketing with Fota Wildlife Park, welcomed the announcement.

“I am very excited about Fota Wildlife Park being the Official Family Partner to Cork City Football Club this season as it’s the first partnership of its kind in Irish Sport," he said. "I believe that this partnership will be of benefit to both parties as Cork City will now be partnered with one of Ireland’s Top Ten visitor attractions, whilst Fota Wildlife Park will be linked to the best supported team in the League of Ireland. 

"As official family partner we will be looking to promote our park to the many families who visit Turner’s Cross during the season through a number of communication channels at each home game. On top of this we want to help create a fun family atmosphere at Turner’s Cross, so from the first game of the season Fota Wildlife Park will be sponsoring the best dressed young supporter of the night that will be judged by the family enclosure team.

"Each winner will get to go out onto the pitch at half time and receive a family pass to Fota Wildlife Park. We will also have a Larry the Lemur Kids section in City Edition which will have prizes and promotions throughout the year, plus with appearances from Larry the Lemur on the pitch it will all make for a great partnership.”

Gerry Nagle, CEO of Cork City FC, said: “I am delighted to welcome Fota Wildlife Park on board as the Official Family Partner of Cork City Football Club. This club is committed to becoming more far involved in the community, and along with our existing relationship with the Evening Echo, this new arrangement with Fota will assist us in this regard.

"Fota Wildlife Park is very much a family-orientated organisation, a role we see as being key one for Cork City FC. I am very pleased that two great Cork brands are set to work together for the families of Cork, and I am sure that this is the beginning of an excellent relationship between the two.”