Cork City F.C.

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This article is about the current League of Ireland club. For the earlier League of Ireland club, see Cork City F.C. (1938–1940). For the women's football club, see Cork City W.F.C.

Cork City
Cork-City-Football-Club-Crest.png
Full nameCork City Football Club
Nickname(s)Rebel Army, City
Founded1984; 37 years ago (1984)
GroundTurners Cross
Capacity7,485
OwnerFORAS (supporter owned)
ChairmanDeclan Carey[1]
ManagerColin Healy
LeagueLeague of Ireland First Division
202010th (relegated from Premier to First Division)
WebsiteClub website
Away colours
Third colours

Cork City Football Club (Irish: Cumann Peile Chathair Chorcaí) is an Irish association football club based in Cork. The club was founded and elected to the League of Ireland in 1984. It was one of the first clubs in Ireland (and the first in Cork) to field a team of professional footballers. With the progression of professionalism at the club, continued development of the Turners Cross stadium and the transition to summer football, the club became one of the biggest and best supported clubs in the country.[2] In 2008, financial issues resulted in a period of examinership, and the club's then holding company was wound up in 2010.[3] A team was entered into the 2010 League of Ireland First Division,[4] before the club re-acquired rights to the name "Cork City Football Club",[5] and was promoted back to the premier division for the 2012 season.[6] Cork City FC won its third premier division title, and first FAI Cup double, during the 2017 season. Following the 2020 League of Ireland Premier Division, the club were relegated to the League of Ireland First Division.

The club's traditional colours are green and white with red trim, and the crest is a variant of the Cork coat of arms. City's home games are played at Turners Cross. In a survey published in 2020, the club was the highest supported League of Ireland club.[7]

History[]

Pre-1980s[]

Further information: League of Ireland in Cork city

The current club are not the first to use the name Cork City. During the 1920s teams referred to as Cork City competed in both the Munster Senior League and the Munster Senior Cup. A team named Cork City finished as Munster Senior Cup runners up in 1924–25.[8][9] Another Cork City F.C. also played in the League of Ireland between 1938 and 1940.[10][11]

1980s[]

Following the bankruptcy of Cork United in 1982, senior football returned to the city with the formation of a new Cork City FC in 1984. Founded by officials from several Cork clubs (including Cork United and Avondale United), the new club was elected to the League of Ireland. Bobby Tambling was the first manager appointed to the club, but he was replaced by Tony 'Tucker' Allen after only 13 games.

In its first and second seasons, the young club barely averted relegation to the new First Division – failing to win a single game at home in Flower Lodge and avoiding relegation only on goal difference. The club reached the semi-finals of the FAI Cup, but were knocked-out by Shamrock Rovers – in the last match played at the Lodge.

Neale FennJohn Caulfield (Irish footballer)Tommy Dunne (footballer born 1972)Paul DoolinAlan MathewsDamien Richardson (footballer)Pat DolanLiam Murphy (football)Colin MurphyDerek MountfieldDave Barry (Irish footballer)Rob HindmarchNoel O'MahonyDamien Richardson (footballer)Noel O'MahonyEamonn O’KeefeNoel O'MahonyTony Allen (footballer)Bobby Tambling

In 1986 the club moved to a new home at Turners Cross, where new manager Noel O'Mahony brought Cork to a midtable finish. The following year, former Ireland striker Eamon O'Keefe arrived as manager, delivering the Munster Senior Cup, and the League of Ireland Cup (the club's first national silverware).

By 1988, O'Mahony was re-installed as manager, and the side finished eighth in the league, and a loss to champions Derry City in the FAI Cup final earned the club its first European ticket. While Torpedo Moscow knocked the club out of the 1989–90 European Cup Winners' Cup, City earned a fifth-place finish in the Premier Division, and the Munster Senior Cup was reclaimed.

1990s[]

The early 1990s saw lengthy unbeaten league runs, high league positions, retention of the Munster Senior Cup through four years, and a number of games in European competition. The most notable European game was a UEFA Cup tie with Bayern Munich, which saw City hold the Germans 1:1 at Musgrave Park before falling 0:2 to late goals in Bavaria. 1993 saw Cork City land the League of Ireland Premier Division title for the first time, after a complicated three team play-off. O'Mahoney resigned and the club moved to a new stadium in Bishopstown at the end of the season.

Damien Richardson took the helm and the 1993/94 season began with City coming from three goals down to beat Welsh side Cwmbran Town in the UEFA Champions League. In the following round they suffered odd-goal defeats both home and away to Turkish side Galatasaray. City finished in runners-up position in the league that year.

1994/95 was a varied season for Cork City. After a strong start to the season, financial pressures forced Richardson to resign and with Bishopstown not being developed to plan, games were switched to Cobh, Turners Cross, and an enforced trip to Tolka Park. Noel O'Mahony was re-appointed as manager but the title challenge collapsed. The club did have successes in the Munster Senior Cup and League of Ireland Cup that season however.

Cork City returned to Turners Cross in 1996

At the start of the 1995/96 season Rob Hindmarch took the reins, but the club was in trouble. With the stadium dragging it under, the receiver was called in and the club left 'homeless'. Efforts to save the situation saw a new board installed and a move back to Turners Cross. With limited funds, Hindmarch had skimmed along but relegation still threatened, and a Cup exit saw Dave Barry appointed. The team managed a ninth-place finish in the league, and for the first time in five years City lost the Munster Cup – to Waterford junior side Waterford Crystal.

1996/97 saw City finish in fourth place. The club also narrowly lost out in the League Cup with an unexpected loss to First Division Galway United. Crowds began to increase, and the Munster Senior Cup was recaptured. The following season Cork performed well in the InterToto Cup and the team improved to third in the league. Dave Barry's reign reached its high point in that year, when City won the 1998 FAI Cup. Cork began the following season with eight straight wins but in the end had to settle for second place, as three defeats to champions St Patrick's Athletic were costly. After finishing runner up for the second season in a row in 1999/2000, Barry resigned to be replaced by Colin Murphy.

2000s[]

Colin Murphy stayed for one FAI Super Cup game before departing to Leicester City just days before a UEFA Cup game. His replacement, Derek Mountfield, lasted less than a season and was replaced by former player Liam Murphy. Under Murphy, City embarked on a 13-game unbeaten run that brought an Intertoto ticket and a tenth Munster Cup success.

In 2001, a controversial link-up was proposed between City, English side Leicester City and local outfit Mayfield United. Fans protested however, and the link-up never materialised. Also in 2001, the board of directors stepped down and businessman Brian Lennox assumed control and lead the club to a professional era.

2002 was most notable as a time of transition, as several older players, who had been a mainstay of the team in the 1990s, left the club or joined the coach staff. They were replaced by younger signings – such as George O'Callaghan, John O'Flynn and Dan Murray.

In February 2003 ex-St. Pat's manager Pat Dolan was unveiled as the new boss and he led City to third place in the new summer season. Dolan's second season as manager also proved successful, as City surpassed Malmö FF and NEC Nijmegen in the Intertoto Cup and secured second place in the league.

Dolan was controversially sacked in pre-season 2005 and replaced by former manager Damien Richardson. In 2005, Richardson lead Cork City to their second league championship – winning on the final day of the season with a 2–0 victory over Derry City. In the same year, Cork City finished runners-up the FAI Cup.

UEFA Champions League qualifier- Cork City v Crvena Zvezda

2006 saw further upgrade work begin at Turners Cross and City met Apollon Limassol and Red Star Belgrade in the UEFA Champions League. The club lost to Drogheda United in the Setanta Cup Final, finished 4th in the league, and secured a place in the Intertoto and Setanta Cup.

At the start of the 2007 season, two new signings were deemed ineligible for play. This mirrored an inconsistent season start, with elimination from the Setanta Cup, a home win against St. Pat's and a record-equalling 4–1 defeat to Sligo Rovers. In August 2007, Roy O'Donovan left for Sunderland for a record LOI fee of €500,000. 2007 also saw the club's ownership change hands: from chairman Brian Lennox to venture capital firm "Arkaga". Despite an FAI Cup win, manager Damien Richardson's future at the club was in doubt, and – after some acrimony – he and the club parted ways.[12]

In January 2008, former Longford Town boss Alan Mathews became manager,[13] and the club signed several players – including taking advantage of FIFA's changes to the "3 club" rule by re-signing George O'Callaghan from Ipswich Town. However O'Callaghan was later dropped and released. City were knocked out of the first qualifying round in European competition by FC Haka. While David Mooney retained the league's top scorer spot, City failed to take points from Bohemians or St. Pats and finished fifth in the league. The club did however gain some silverware, beating Glentoran in the Setanta Sports Cup final.[14] Off the pitch the club suffered a considerable threat when, in August 2008, after investment difficulties with venture capital firm Arkaga,[15] the club entered into examinership. With debts of up to €800,000, cost-cutting measures were implemented.[16] Under related rules, the club was docked 10 points in the league.[17] In October 2008 the High Court ruled in favour of Tom Coughlan's bid to take over the club, and ended the examinership.

Paul Doolin replaced Mathews as manager for the 2009 season,[18] and the side gained a number of positive results early in 2009 – including defeating Roy Keane's touring Ipswich Town 2–0.[19] Despite these on pitch results however, the club's future was left in considerable doubt following a High Court decision on outstanding Revenue receipts.[20] A "winding up" order was issued when no agreement could be reached on tax payments.[21] The club were given several extensions to pay or to appeal,[22][23][24] and the club narrowly staved off closure by meeting a final deadline.[25] Doolin left at the end of 2009, after leading the club to a third-place finish in the 2009 League of Ireland Premier Division.[26]

2010s[]

Fallout from the financial and management difficulties in 2008 and 2009 followed the club into the new decade. Roddy Collins was appointed manager before the start of the 2010 season,[27] despite questions over his contract status at Floriana F.C..[28] Mounting pressure on owner Tom Coughlan (including threatened boycotts[29] and censure by the FAI)[30][31] resulted in his resignation as chairman.[32] Club participation in the Premier Division was also left in doubt as licensing decisions were deferred pending changes in club ownership and payment of outstanding tax receipts.[33]

Despite some temporary stays, and several months of court and legal wrangling,[33] the club ultimately failed to gain a licence, meaning a deal on new ownership could not be secured, and the courts enforced a winding-up order on Cork City Investment FC Limited.[34][35] Cork City fans entered the 2010 League of Ireland First Division with a new company under the name Cork City FORAS Co-op in the immediate aftermath of the winding up of the holding company CCIFC Ltd. The name of the club was restored on 1 June 2010 when a supporters' trust, FORAS, completed the purchase of the rights from Cork City Investments FC Ltd's liquidator. The team continued to compete in the League of Ireland as Cork City FORAS Co-op for the remainder of the season – though the club and most Irish media returned to calling the club Cork City FC, and supporters used this name during the entire period regardless.

Tommy Dunne (formerly assistant manager to Paul Doolin) was appointed first team manager, and oversaw the 2010 season. A number of players were called-up and played for the Ireland U23s,[36][37] and others to the Ireland U21s.[38][39] Shane Duggan, and Graham Cummins were both named in the PFAI First Division Team of the Year, while Cummins won the PFAI First Division Player of the Year award[40][41] and was joint top-scorer in the First Division with 18 league goals. Cork ultimately finished 6th in the First Division in 2010.

In 2011 the club won the First Division, on the last day of the season,[42] securing promotion to the premier division. The team also reached the league cup final losing to Derry City in a game played at Turner's Cross.[43] The club were knocked-out of the 2012 FAI Cup by Shamrock Rovers in the third round, and finished sixth in the 2012 Premier Division league competition.[44]

Results at the start of the 2013 season led to the removal of Tommy Dunne as manager by August,[45] with Stuart Ashton overseeing the remainder of the season and a sixth-place finish. Former veteran player and record scorer John Caulfield was appointed manager in 2014, and oversaw unbeaten runs at the start[46] and end of the season – keeping pressure on league-leaders Dundalk.[47] However, despite pushing the title to a final day decider, Caulfield's side failed to pick up points from Dundalk and finished second in the 2014 Premier Division competition.[48] The club were also runners-up in the 2015 season, again finishing second to Dundalk.[49] This won them a place in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa League, where they made it to the third round, their best European record since 1997. For the third consecutive year, Cork City finished second to Dundalk in the 2016 Premier Division. However, in November they beat Dundalk in the 2016 FAI Cup final after Sean Maguire scored a last minute extra time goal to win John Caulfield his first major trophy as manager.[50]

The 2017 season started with a 22-game unbeaten run,[51] however a number of less favourable results mid-season (and the departure of league top-scorer Sean Maguire to the UK and international duty)[52][51] pushed City's "inevitable" championship win until later in the season.[53] Cork City were named 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division champions on 17 October 2017 - with several games in hand.[51][54] The club completed its first league and cup 'double', by winning the 2017 FAI Cup Final a few weeks later on 5 November 2017.[55]

City started 2018 with a third successive President's Cup final win over Dundalk - in a game overshadowed by the death of former player Liam Miller, who died earlier in February 2018.[56] As with the preceding four seasons, Dundalk were Cork's main rivals in the 2018 League of Ireland Premier Division and 2018 FAI Cup,[57] with Dundalk ultimately winning both.[58]

A series of poor results at the start of the 2019 season, saw the departure of John Caulfield as manager.[59] Neale Fenn was appointed as Caulfield's replacement in August 2019,[60] following a period where Frank Kelleher and John Cotter held interim management and coaching positions.[61][62] Cork City finished the 2019 season in 8th position, with just 9 wins and 37 points.[63]

2020s[]

With five games remaining in the 2020 season, and the club at the bottom of the table with just 2 wins, Neale Fenn was replaced as manager by Colin Healy.[64] The club's relegation to the League of Ireland First Division was sealed on 24 October 2020, as their bottom of the table 10th place finish was confirmed following a Finn Harps win over Bohemians at Dalymount Park.[65] In late October 2020, the supporters' trust voted in favour of a motion to sell the club to Preston North End owner Trevor Hemmings through his company Grovemoor Limited.[66] However, in mid-December 2020 it was reported that the proposed sale would not progress as Grovemoor Limited "[could not agree] terms on a lease agreement with the Munster Football Association" for the use of Turner's Cross.[67]

Ownership[]

Cork City FC is owned by its supporters through a supporters' trust – the Friends of the Rebel Army Society.[67] This trust elects a Board of Management to run the football club, but the major decisions must be made at Annual General Meetings or Extraordinary General Meetings.

Stadium[]

Cork City play their home games at Turners Cross – a 7,365 all-seater stadium on the southside of Cork City.[68] The stadium is rented from the Munster Football Association.

Honours and records[]

Honours[]

One of Cork City's crests
Title Year/s
League of Ireland Premier Division 1992–93, 2005, 2017
League of Ireland First Division 2011
FAI Cup 1998, 2007, 2016, 2017
League of Ireland Cup 1987–88, 1994–95, 1998–99
President's Cup 2016, 2017, 2018
Munster Senior Cup 1987–88, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2018–19
Setanta Sports Cup 2008
A Championship Shield 2008
Dr Tony O'Neill Cup 2002–03, 2003, 2008–09, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2015
Enda McGuill Cup 2004, 2006, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2016
FAI Youth Cup 2000, 2006, 2009, 2011
Capital of Culture Cup 2005
FAI Futsal Cup 2009

Records[]

General
Record league victory (a) v Athlone Town 7–0, 10 September 2011
Record league defeat (a) v Shamrock Rovers 0–6, 21 February 2020
Longest unbeaten run 24, 1 April 1990 – 13 January 1991
Most Successive wins 12, 24 February 2017 – 5 May 2017
Appearances
Most appearances John Caulfield – 455
Most starts John Caulfield – 376
Most consecutive starts Mark McNulty – 147
Most substitute appearances John Caulfield – 79
League Goals
Aggregate John Caulfield – 129, Pat Morley – 129
Season Graham Cummins – 24 – 2011 (First Division), Pat Morley – 20 (Twice), Sean Maguire - 20 (Premier Division)
Game (including national cup competitions) Ciarán Kilduff – 4 Vs. Shelbourne, 10 October 2013
Clean Sheets Phil Harrington – 112
European Goals
Aggregate Sean Maguire – 5

Hall of Fame[]

Year Inductee
2006 * Dave Barry
2006 Patsy Freyne
2007 Declan Daly
2007 Phil Harrington
2008 John Caulfield
2008 Pat Morley
2009 Liam Murphy
2009 Colin T O'Brien
2010 Dave Hill Derek Coughlan
2011 Fergus O'Donoghue
2012 Philip Long
2015 Billy Woods
2017 Stephen Napier
2018 Patrick Shine
2019 George O'Callaghan
2019 John O'Flynn
* The "Cork City Official Supporters Club Hall of Fame" was inaugurated in 2006, with Dave Barry and Patsy Freyne as the inaugural inductees.[69]

League placings[]

Season Points Position Season Points Position Season Points Position Season Points Position
1984/85 28 9th 1996/97 54 4th 2008 46[1] 5th 2020 11 10th[2]
1985/86 13 10th 1997/98 53 3rd 2009 60 3rd
1986/87 18 7th 1998/99 70 2nd 2010[3] 52 6th
1987/88 34 7th 1999/2000 58 2nd 2011[4] 69 1st
1988/89 26 8th 2000/01 56 3rd 2012[5] 36 6th
1989/90 37 5th 2001/02 49 6th 2013 46 6th
1990/91 50 2nd 2002/03 39 4th 2014 72 2nd
1991/92 43 3rd 2003[6] 53 3rd 2015 67 2nd
1992/93 48 1st 2004 65 2nd 2016 70 2nd
1993/94 59 2nd 2005 74[7] 1st 2017 76 1st
1994/95 49 7th 2006 56 4th 2018 77 2nd
1995/96 41 9th 2007 55 4th 2019 37 8th

^ Change to "summer" season • ^ Premier Division points record • ^ Docked 10 points • ^ First Division • ^ Premier Division • ^ Relegated

European record[]

Overview[]

Competition P W D L GF GA
UEFA Champions League
10
2
1
7
7
16
UEFA Cup / Europa League
30
6
7
17
21
43
European Cup Winners' Cup / UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
4
1
0
3
2
9
UEFA Intertoto Cup
16
4
6
6
11
13
TOTAL
60
13
14
33
41
81

Matches[]

Season Competition Round Opponent Home Away Aggregate
1989–90 European Cup Winners' Cup 1R Russia Torpedo Moscow 0–1 0–5 0–6
1991–92 UEFA Cup 1R Germany Bayern Munich 1–1 0–2 1–3
1993–94 UEFA Champions League PR Wales Cwmbran Town 2–1 2–3 4–4 (a)
1R Turkey Galatasaray 0–1 1–2 1–3
1994–95 UEFA Cup PR Czech Republic Slavia Prague 0–4 0–2 0–6
1997 UEFA Intertoto Cup Group 4 Belgium Standard Liège 0–0 N/A 4th
Israel Maccabi Petah Tikva N/A 0–0
Germany Köln 0–2 N/A
Switzerland Aarau N/A 0–0
1998–99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup QR Ukraine CSKA Kyiv 2–1 0–2 2–3
1999–00 UEFA Cup QR Sweden Göteborg 1–0 0–3 1–3
2000��01 UEFA Cup QR Switzerland Lausanne Sports 0–1 0–1 0–2
2001 UEFA Intertoto Cup 1R Latvia Liepāja 0–1 1–2 1–3
2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup 1R Sweden Malmö 3–1 1–0 4–1
2R Netherlands Nijmegen 1–0 0–0 1–0
3R France Nantes 1–1 1–3 2–4
2005–06 UEFA Cup 1QR Lithuania Ekranas 0–1 2–0 2–1
2QR Sweden Djurgårdens 0–0 1–1 1–1 (a)
1R Czech Republic Slavia Prague 1–2 0–2 1–4
2006–07 UEFA Champions League 1QR Cyprus Apollon Limassol 1–0 1–1 2–1
2QR Serbia Red Star 0–1 0–3 0–4
2007 UEFA Intertoto Cup 1R Iceland Valur 0–1 2–0 2–1
2R Sweden Hammarby 1–1 0–1 1–2
2008–09 UEFA Cup 1QR Finland Haka 2–2 0–4 2–6
2015–16 UEFA Europa League 1QR Iceland KR 1–1 1–2 (a.e.t.) 2–3
2016–17 UEFA Europa League 1QR Northern Ireland Linfield 1–1 1–0 2–1
2QR Sweden Häcken 1–0 1–1 2–1
3QR Belgium Genk 1–2 0–1 1–3
2017–18 UEFA Europa League 1QR Estonia Levadia Tallinn 4–2 2–0 6–2
2QR Cyprus AEK Larnaca 0–1 0–1 0–2
2018–19 UEFA Champions League 1QR Poland Legia Warsaw 0–1 0–3 0–4
2018–19 UEFA Europa League 3QR Norway Rosenborg 0–2 0–3 0–5
2019–20 UEFA Europa League 1QR Luxembourg Progrès Niederkorn 0–2 2–1 2–3

Players[]

First-team squad[]

As of 12 February 2021 [70]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Republic of Ireland IRL Mark McNulty
2 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Uniss Kargbo
3 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Ronan Hurley
4 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Rob Slevin
5 DF England ENG George Heaven
6 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Gearóid Morrissey
7 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Dylan McGlade
8 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Cian Coleman
9 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Beinoen O'Brien-Whitmarsh
10 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Steven Beattie
11 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Cian Bargary
13 GK Republic of Ireland IRL Dave Harrington
14 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Barry Coffey (on loan from Celtic)
No. Pos. Nation Player
15 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Dale Holland
16 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Alec Byrne
17 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Darragh Crowley
18 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Josh Honohan
19 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Luke Desmond
20 GK England ENG Paul Hunt
21 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Oran Crowe
22 MF Republic of Ireland IRL James O'Leary
24 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Cian Murphy
25 DF Republic of Ireland IRL Gordon Walker
26 FW Republic of Ireland IRL Jamie Wynne
28 DF Finland FIN Jonas Häkkinen
30 MF England ENG Jack Baxter (on loan from Preston North End)

Retired numbers[]

Main article: Retired numbers in football

12 – Club supporters (the 12th man)

Technical staff[]

As of December 2020, technical staff members supporting the first team included:[1][71]

Position Staff member
Head Coach Colin Healy
Assistant coaches John Cotter
Goalkeeping coach Mark McNulty
Physiotherapist Orla McSweeney
Doctor Gerard Murphy
Kit manager Mick Ring
Head of Academy Liam Kearney
U19 Manager Dan Murray
U19 Coach Steven Beattie

Managers[]

Year/s Manager
1984 England Bobby Tambling
1984–1985 Republic of Ireland Tony 'Tucker' Allen
1986 Republic of Ireland Noel O'Mahony
1987 Republic of Ireland Eamon O'Keefe
1988–1992 Republic of Ireland Noel O'Mahony
1992–1993 Republic of Ireland Damien Richardson
1993–1994 Republic of Ireland Noel O'Mahony
1994–1995 England Rob Hindmarch
1995–2000 Republic of Ireland Dave Barry
2000 England Colin Murphy
2000 England Derek Mountfield
2000–2003 Republic of Ireland Liam Murphy
2003–2004 Republic of Ireland Pat Dolan
2005–2007 Republic of Ireland Damien Richardson
2008 Republic of Ireland Alan Mathews
2009 Republic of Ireland Paul Doolin
2010 Republic of Ireland Roddy Collins
2010–2013 Republic of Ireland Tommy Dunne
2013 England Stuart Ashton (interim)
2014–2019 Republic of Ireland John Caulfield
2019–2020 Republic of Ireland Neale Fenn
2020– Republic of Ireland Colin Healy

Kit and colours[]

Original kit 1984–1989
Recurring black Away kit
Red Home kit 1997–2002
v. Nijmegen 2004
Per corkcitykits.com
Graphic of a Cork City shirt decorating a bar on Grand Parade

The club's colours largely reflected the traditional colours of association football in Cork, with green and white featuring heavily. Since the club's inception in 1984, the kits also featured a red trim – influenced in part by the traditional Gaelic Athletic Association colours of County Cork. Over the years, these base colours were worn in different combinations:[72] originally green and white hoops in 1984, then white shirts with green and red trim in 1989.[73]

In 1997, the club broke with tradition to use a red and white kit – similar to the Cork County GAA kits. Subsequently, the club reverted to the green and white theme in 2002, initially with white sidings rather than stripes, but eventually returning to green white and red stripes.[72]

From 1984 to 2004, the team never wore a kit with a single solid colour.[citation needed] However, in 2004, when playing Intertoto cup opponents NEC Nijmegen, the referee deemed that both of Cork City's kits clashed with both of NEC's kits. The club was forced to hurriedly source an alternative while en route to the Netherlands. The team wore all-white kits with a makeshift crest and sponsorship.

There was a recurring theme of black away kits – often with yellow trim – reflecting the kits of former Cork clubs.[72] In 2004, a Cork XI selection featuring a number of City players faced Bolton Wanderers, wearing yellow and black. Black again became the colour of the team's away jersey in 2008, with a jersey from Danish maker Hummel.

In 2010, the club kept with tradition by wearing a green home kit with red and white trim manufactured by Hummel. The away kit was red with white trim, similar to the 1997–2001 home kits, and Cork GAA kits. These kits were used for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. City wore red at home for the first time since the 2001/02 season on 10 September 2010 against Mervue United to show support for the Cork Gaelic Footballers who were due to face Down in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final the following weekend.[74]

In November 2011, the club announced Umbro Ireland as the club's official kit partner.[75] For the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons, the club's official kit partner was Nike, with gear provided by Teamwear Ireland.[76] In September 2017 it was announced that Cork City had signed a three-year deal with kit supplier Adidas starting from the 2018 season.[77]

Supporters and rivalries[]

Colour from "shed-end" supporters ahead of a near-capacity game in April 2015[78]

Cork City have one of the biggest support bases in the League of Ireland, and for example in early 2017 had average attendances of between four and five thousand per home game, compared to a league average of approximately 1,500.[79] The club had an average attendance of 4,453 during the 2015 season, the highest in Ireland, and approximately 1,000 higher than the next highest averages.[80] A 2020 survey indicated that Cork City had the highest number of supporters among League of Irelad clubs, and was the sixth highest supported football club in Ireland overall (between Chelsea and Barcelona).[7]

"The Shed" is a section of seating in the Curragh Road stand which is home to Cork City's more vocal supporters. Before redevelopment, this was the location of the 'Shed End' terrace, which was knocked in 2005. The Family Enclosure is a specified area in the 'Donie Forde' stand, where families and children watch games in a less boisterous atmosphere than that of the Shed End.

The only other league side in the Cork area is Cobh Ramblers F.C.. There has never been any significant rivalry between the clubs, as the Cobh club has spent much of its existence in the First Division.[original research?] Other rivalries have traditionally existed with some Dublin clubs such as Shamrock Rovers.[81] They also share a rivalry with Dundalk, as the two have been Ireland's two biggest clubs between 2014 and 2017.[82][83] As 2017, games against Limerick F.C. have sometimes been referred to as the 'Munster Derby'.[84] Prior to 2010, this term was also sometimes applied to games against Waterford FC.[85][86]

Launched in 2007, "Going Commando" is Cork City's only active fanzine.[citation needed] Other past fanzines have included "FourFiveOne" (discontinued in 2006) and "I was out there once!" (IWOTO).[87]

See also[]

  • League of Ireland in Cork city
  • List of former Cork City F.C. players

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Club Directory". corkcityfc.ie. Cork City FC. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
  2. ^ "Eircom League rocked by Cork City's financial difficulties". Sunday Business Post. 17 August 2008. Archived from the original on 29 October 2008. Cork City is one of the biggest and best supported teams in the league
  3. ^ "City are no more as deal collapses". RTÉ Sport. 22 February 2010. Archived from the original on 29 March 2010.
  4. ^ "Cork City Foras prepare for new season". RTÉ Sport. 24 February 2010. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011.
  5. ^ "News -It's in the Right Hands". Corkcityfc.net. 1 June 2010. Archived from the original on 4 June 2010.
  6. ^ "Cork crowned champions at Tolka Park". RTÉ Sport. 30 October 2011. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Malone, Emmet (29 February 2020). "Football fan survey: Man United still top league among Irish fans". The Irish Times. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  8. ^ "Mallow United History (1927–1928)". Mallowunited.com. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  9. ^ "MFA - Previous Winners". Munster Football Association. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  10. ^ Plunkett Carter. "Sport in Cork > Soccer > The Interwar Years". www.corkpastandpresent.ie. Cork City Library. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
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