Trading Statement

C&C Group Plc
24 February 2005

                                                                24 February 2005


                PRE-CLOSE TRADING STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDING

                                28 FEBRUARY 2005


Dublin, London, 24 February 2005: C&C Group plc ('C&C' or the 'Group'), a
leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded beverages and snacks
in Ireland, today issued the following statement in advance of its close period
for the year to 28 February 2005.

The preliminary results for the year ending 28 February 2005 will be announced
on 10 May 2005. This will be the Group's first full year report since its
initial public offering (IPO) and listings on the Irish Stock Exchange and the
London Stock Exchange in May 2004.

Financial Overview for the Year to 28 February 2005
     
•    Against the background of a very challenging environment, in particular
     the introduction of the smoking ban in licensed premises and poor summer
     weather, underlying Group turnover (on a constant currency basis for 
     continuing operations) for the full year is expected to have increased by 
     a satisfactory 4%. This translates to an EBITA and EPS outcome that is in 
     line with expectations.
          
     •    The Group's cider brands (Bulmers and Magners) and Tullamore Dew have 
          performed strongly and are the principal contributors to the expected 
          underlying EBITA growth.

•    The currency impact of the weaker US/Canadian Dollar on Operating Profit
     will amount to €6.8m in the full year compared to 2003/04.

Alcohol Division
          
•    Sales volumes of the division's principal brand, Bulmers, are expected to 
     match last year compared with  an overall long alcohol drinks (LAD) market
     decline in the region of 2%.

•    The ban on smoking in licensed premises came into effect at the end of 
     March 2004 and is a significant factor in the decline in the on-trade LAD
     market.   C&C estimates that the on-trade LAD market declined by 
     approximately 6% in the year to 31 January 2005; that the rate of decline 
     has been stable in the six months to January 2005 at 7-8%; and that 
     off-trade growth has been in double digits throughout 2004.

•    The Group's international cider brand, Magners, has significantly exceeded 
     expectations and is expected to achieve a full year volume growth in excess 
     of 50%, with strong performances in Northern Ireland and Scotland

International Spirits and Liqueurs

•    Overall shipments for International Spirits and Liqueurs are expected to
     increase by 7% for the full year.  Depletions growth for Tullamore Dew are
     particularly strong while Carolans' performance was affected by weakness in
     North America over the Christmas quarter.

Soft Drinks and Snacks

•    The combined carbonated soft drinks (CSD) and bottled water market declined 
     by approximately 2% in the 11 months to 31 January 2005 - slightly in 
     excess of the decline in the half year to August 2004.  Other segments of 
     the market such as energy, sport and cordial recorded good growth.  The 
     snack market was flat with the second half showing a small volume decline.

•    C&C's share of the CSD/bottled water market fell slightly in the period
     but it achieved good growth in the sports and cordial segments and 
     performed in line with the snack market.

Outlook

The smoking ban, which is anticipated to have a one-off impact on the on-trade,
is expected to be fully absorbed by mid-2005.  The favourable prevailing
economic conditions in Ireland are expected to continue throughout 2005 giving a
lift to consumer spending growth.

C&C's principal plans for growth in 2005/06 are to improve Bulmers' existing
share of the Irish LAD market and to build upon Magners' success in Scotland by
investing in its roll-out to selected other parts of the U.K.  The cost
associated with the roll-out is such that the EBITA for the Alcohol division is
unlikely to show any significant growth in 2005/06.

In other divisions, C&C will continue to increase the marketing investment
behind Tullamore Dew to drive further growth. In the Soft Drinks & Snacks
division, the Group will continue to exploit niche growth opportunities and
increase its focus on efficiency improvements.

The impact of the US Dollar depreciation on operating profit is expected to
amount to €2m in 2005/06 compared to 2004/05.  Cash flow is forecast to remain
strong.

Maurice Pratt, Group Chief Executive Officer, commented "The Group believes that
its plans for 2005/06 will establish the basis for solid medium-term growth and
support a progressive dividend policy."

Accounting Changes

The company will adopt IFRS in 2005/06.  The impact of this will be to reduce
reported EBITA in that year by approximately €3m.  €2m of this reduction relates
to pensions and €1m relates to expensing share options granted in 2004.
Reported earnings will in addition be affected by the elimination of a €30m P&L
charge for goodwill amortisation.  These changes have no impact on cash and
accordingly will not impact dividends.

Pre-close Period Trading Statement - Analyst Conference Call Details

Maurice Pratt, Group Chief Executive Officer and Brendan Dwan, Group Finance
Director will host a conference call for analysts and investors at 2:00p.m.
(local Irish time) today. Dial in details are available from K Capital Source on
[phone] or c&[e-mail]

About C&C Group plc

C&C is one of the largest manufacturers, marketers and distributors of branded
beverages in Ireland and Northern Ireland and savoury snacks in Ireland.   The
Group owns several of Ireland's most recognised beverage and savoury snacks
brands, with leading market shares in various segments of the Irish beverage and
savoury snacks markets, including Bulmers cider, Ballygowan bottled water, Club
soft drinks and Tayto crisps.  Additionally, the Group distributes in Ireland
several leading international brands owned by third parties, such as 7UP and
Pepsi soft drinks, and Volvic and Evian bottled water, and a wide-ranging
portfolio of wines and spirits.  In addition to its Irish operations, the Group
exports spirits and liqueurs to over 80 overseas markets and exports Magners
cider to the United Kingdom, the United States and Continental Europe.


Investors and analysts       Irish Media            International Media

Mark Kenny or                Paddy Hughes or        Edward Orlebar
Jonathan Neilan              Mark Cahalane          Finsbury Group
K Capital Source             Drury Communications      
Tel:  [phone]       Tel:  [phone]  Tel:   [phone]

Email:                       Email:                 Email:  
c&[e-mail]  [e-mail]   [e-mail]                                      

                             Or:
                             [e-mail]


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