The 2026 season will be Cork City’s 4th time in 6 seasons that they will compete in the League of Ireland First Division.
Cork City will host Treaty United on the 13th of February at home in Turners Cross kicking off the first Munster Derby of the season. Simon Grayson whom had a high-profiled career as a manager in the EFL system and further afield was appointed as a “Advisor” to the board of management under Dermot Usher’s ownership at the start of the month.
Following this, Former Aberdeen Manager, Barry Robson was announced as Cork City’s new First Team Head Coach for the next two seasons.
Cork City have had a positive start to their pre season campaign beating Premier Division side Waterford in a friendly and Midleton in the Round of 16 of the Munster Senior Cup with Josh Fitzpatrick and Charlie Hannover scoring in these games.
In terms of betting odds, Cork City are favourites to return to the Premier Division at the first time of asking coming in at 7/10. There closest challengers according to Paddy Power will be fellow Cork side Cobh Ramblers who are currently priced at 7/2.
Some fans may also argue that this season is not just about getting the club back to the Premier Division but sustaining their place in the division in 2027. It is hoped City can reach promotion in the 2026 season.
Cork City Last Season
Despite the Leesiders opening the 2025 season with a 2-2 draw against Galway and a win against Bohemians, Cork City only managed to get 4 league wins last season in a poor league run under manager Ger Nash who departed to Mjaby FC as an assistant coach to the Swedish Champions of recent.
Cork City were hit with several injuries last season with key players such as Ruairi Keating, Greg Bolger and Cathal O’Sullivan serving lengthy absences. City went on to have a good run in the FAI Cup notably beating Waterford in the Quarter finals and then St Patrick’s Athletic 3-0 in the semi-final of the Cup in Turners Cross where fans protested prior the game amid to ownership concerns at the club. However the fans were not let down as City Veteran Sean Maguire scored and Evan Mclaughlin scored a brace.
Ahead of the 2026 Season, McLaughlin has joined Waterford FC alongside Portuguese Left-Back Benny Couto who also faced a injury while at Cork last season. City got to the FAI Cup final in the Aviva to give fans a day out none the less after relegation was confirmed.
However Shamrock Rovers won the Cup against City, 2-0 in a game which saw City’s Harry Nevin receive a red card. Conor Brann was notable towards the end of the season in between the posts for City for making a few decent saves and appears committed to First Division Football. Brann showed potential between the sticks after Tein Troost left the club in mid 2025. Overall 2025 a poor season for Cork City FC.
Cork City Recruitment
Sean Murray departed Cork City FC after the 2025 season for personal reasons and moved to Ballymena United in the NIFL. Evan McLaughlin and Benny Couto joined Waterford and Kitt Nelson, who’s presence was known in City’s midfield returned to Preston alongside Kaedyn Kamara.
While Sean Maguire was linked to Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers this off-season, Barry Robson has made it known, Maguire is committed to the Club where his family is settled down and where his best memories of his career probably were. Young Cathal O’Sullivan is linked to a move to Preston, a club that has been affiliated with City for years. Cathal O’Sullivan’s move to a club across the water was halted due to an ACL injury. At that time, Crystal Palace became interested in O’Sullivan among other British clubs.
City have brought in Niall O’Keeffe. O’Keeffe has played for Cobh Ramblers and Waterford and could well be an assist to the club in the first division as a “No.6” styled midfielder. Hans Mpongo has also joined the club from Finn Harps. The Striker scored 8 goals in 15 games while in Donegal last season. It will be interesting how Robson uses the 3 strikers in his force, Ruairi Keating, Mpongo and Maguire. Another noticeable asset to the club will be the re-signing of the experienced LOI player, Greg Bolger. City may lack strength in the midfield which may be a noticeable absence in their squad as of present but with a mix of experienced first-team players and youth players, City should still prove a competitive force in the division. Young players such as Matthew Murray who scored against a Celtic side last season in a friendly last summer and Waterford in the Cup may prove helpful in this season’s campaign.
You can see the full Cork City squad for 2026 here!
The Season ahead:
While City are favourites to return automatically to the Premier Division, clubs such as East Cork club-Cobh Ramblers, Wexford, Bray and a strengthening Kerry side under former City Manager and Player, Colin Healy may prove to be tough opponents throughout the season for the Rebel Army. The goal at the club will naturally be to gain promotion and it is hoped that Robson’s lack of LOI experience will not disturb this goal. The appointment of Grayson and then Robson at the club shines a brighter light for Cork fans for sure. Cork City have such a big fanbase and should sustain their place in the top flight of Irish football. Once again this season will act as a rebuilding session. A good cup run would also benefit the players morales this season. City continue their Pre-Season campaign ahead of the return of League of Ireland football as Robson takes his squad to play a St. Pats side in John Hyland Park on Friday 23rd at 2pm.