As preparations continue for Friday Night’s FAI Cup Semi Final clash between Cork City and St. Patricks Athletic, Rumours of fan led protests by two Cork City supporter groups are understood to be planned ahead of kick off against the club ownership.
In 2022, FORAS approved a change of ownership to see business man Dermot Usher as the new owner of Cork City FC with 86% of the vote in his favour. At the time it was seen as a massive step in the right direction for Cork City moving from the fan owned model to being backed by the Kildare business man.
Usher’s first season as owner wasn’t a successful one, finishing in 9th place in the League Of Ireland Premier Division losing to Waterford in the promotion/relegation final in Tallaght Stadium.
In 2024 Dermot Usher and Cork City achieved their goal in getting back to the Premier Division winning the First Division by 16 points with only 2 losses from the 36 league games.
Fans knew recruitment was going to be needed for Cork City to have a chance in staying up in 2025 and with two statement signings in Ruairi Keating and Seanie Maguire, City fans believed that this could be the start of the return of Cork City to where they belonged.
However, the return to the Premier Division hasn’t gone as planned. Just 4 wins from 32 games see City bottom of the table, 11 points adrift of bitter rivals Waterford and almost certain to be relegated back to the First Division.
The argument of luck not being on Cork City’s side in 2025 has been made,with consistent injury struggles throughout the campaign. Some fans have said that even before the start of the season the team lacked depth and they were proven to be right, with key players such as Ruairi Keating, Sean Maguire and Cathal O’Sullivan just some of the names to see large spells on the sidelines.
2025 also saw the departure of Tim Clancy midway through the season and was replaced by Gerard Nash who has picked up 5 wins from his 19 games in charge.
“I Know It’s A Tough Time But We Need Them”
The words from the Cork City boss at a media day ahead of Friday night’s game which is live on National television.
Speaking to the media at Bishopstown today when asked about the protests Nash said
“Look, I’ve just come off the training pitch. We’ve been really busy ever since the game on Friday night. I travelled to watch Sligo take on St Pat’s on Saturday and I’m fully focused on this game. So, I don’t know, what’s coming in that regard. Obviously, you’ve spoken to me about it there. I’m not sure exactly what’s going to happen.
Look, the fans that go away from home have been fantastic since I’ve come to the club and they pay their money to support the team.
Ger Nash
“Again, at home, especially in recent games, there’s been a really good synergy, certainly since I’ve been at the club. The best synergy has been in the most recent four home games I would say. We’re going to need them on Friday night.
“I think they’re the most passionate fan base in the country. We really need them.
What Are The Plans?
The rumoured protests are being carried about by 2 supporter groups “Commandos84” and “1stCorkCityBrigade”.
The protest is expect to be “disruptive in nature” with the intention of kickoff of the game being delayed by “10 minutes at a minimum”.
The protest on Friday night is being carried out with the intention to “shine a light on Dermot Usher and his disastrous ownership of the club which has resulted in two relegations in three seasons”
The message from the group seen by LOITalk, Finishes with:
Friday night is the start of a series of protests that will continue to escalate
Ahead of what is Cork City’s biggest game of the season, there should be hope and optimism building around the club, instead it is filled with anger and frustration.