Cork City F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the Football League of Ireland. The club, founded in and elected to the league in 1984, hails from Cork, Ireland and play their home matches at Turners Cross. The club colours are Green and White with Red trim, and the club goes by the nicknames of 'City' and 'Rebel Army'. The club was founded not long after the demise of the Cork Hibernians football club. The club chairman is Brian Lennox , the current manager of the club is Damien Richardson .

History

After a two-year gap, senior football returned to Leeside when Cork City FC was elected to the League of Ireland in 1984. Former Chelsea and Cork Celtic hero Bobby Tambling was the first manager appoined to the club, but his reign was short at only 13 games. Tony 'Tucker' Allen filled the breach as the club opted to import a batch of English players, most notably ex-Liverpool midfielder Terry McDermott. The gamble averted the threat of relegation to the new First Division, though success in the League Cup was less forthcoming as The Rebels fell to Drogheda United in the second round.

The second campaign almost brought disaster with City failing to win a single game in their then home, Flower Lodge and avoiding relegation only on goal difference from Shelbourne. The FAI Cup offered some respite though, with Bray Wanderers, Limerick City and Derry City being overcome as City advanced to the semi-finals. However, all-conquering Shamrock Rovers proved too powerful over two legs, winning 8:3 on aggregate. The return match at the Lodge was the last ever played at the famous old venue.

1986 brought the enforced move to Turners Cross. New manager Noel O’Mahony would eventually guide City into the relative comfort zone of mid-table, but the FAI Cup, League Cup and Munster Senior Cup offered little in the way of glory, or consolation.

1987 – 1988 Former Ireland striker Eamon O’Keefe arrived as manager as the club strived to inject an urgent degree of professionalism. Within a month O’Keefe delivered the Munster Cup, and in October skipper Liam Murphy lifted the League Cup, the club’s first national silverware, when Shamrock Rovers were defeated at Turners Cross. On the league front there was a further gradual improvement with City finishing in seventh place. Despite the advances made, however, the turnstiles were still clicking too slowly and there was pressure on the board to improve the image and appeal of the club.

1988 - 1989 This was an eventful season for City in many ways: the sacking of O’Keefe, another relegation battle, a first FAI Cup final appearance, and a European qualification at the end of it all. Poor early form and attendances cast doubts over O’Keefe’s tenure and there was an acrimonious parting of the ways before Christmas, with O’Mahony re-installed to guide the ship to safety. The side battled to finish eighth in the league, and produced brave but unsuccessful defences of the Munster and League Cups. Losing to treble champions Derry City in the FAI Cup decider earned the club its first European ticket. 1989 - 1990 Glenavon and Tottenham Hostpur were early visitors to Leeside before City faced Torpedo Moscow in the Cup Winners’ Cup, a huge step for a young club. They lost 0:6 on aggregate against the Russians, but the experience fuelled the club’s desire and inspired a fifth-place finish in the Premier Division. The ambitious experiment of recruiting four Bulgarians in October did not pay off, but hinted at an actual desire for achievement. The FAI Cup and the League Cup proved fruitless avenues to success, but the Munster Senior Cup was reclaimed on New Year’s Day at the expense of Tramore Athletic.

1990 – 1991 For the first time City were genuine championship contenders, exploding from the traps with a 20-game unbeaten run that lasted until late January, the squad bolstered by the inclusion of five Scots during the season. The only other defeat came when Dundalk stole a 1:0 win and the title in front of 12,000 fans packed into Turners Cross. The consolation was another European berth, this time in the UEFA Cup. There were early exits in the FAI and League Cup, but the Munster Senior Cup was retained when Limerick City were overcome 3:0 on the last day of the season.

1991 - 1992 A hectic pre-season included games in Shanghai against the Polish and Chinese Olympic teams, a famous 2:0 win over Celtic plus visits from Leeds, Manchester City and Sunderland. The icing on the cake was a gallant UEFA joust with Bayern Munich; City holding the German giants 1:1 at Musgrave Park before falling 0:2 to late goals in Bavaria. The club slipped to third in the league, missing out on Europe, and suffered a 0:1 reverse to Bohemians in the FAI Cup decider at Lansdowne Road. Once again, the Munster Senior Cup was the only trophy claimed in a memorable year.

1992 - 1993 Cork City landed the Premier Division title for the first time after a three-way tie with Shelbourne and Bohemians, and an extended play-off series to decide the Championship. A 3:2 win over Shelbourne at the RDS in the sixth play-off game finally earned the club its day of glory. It was a momentous season on other fronts also with City moving to a new stadium in Bishopstown as ambition continued to grow. There were early exits in the League and FAI Cups, however, though the Munster Cup was kept for another year following a 3:1 win over Fermoy.

1993 - 1994 Damien Richardson took the helm on Noel O’Mahony’s retirement. City came from three goals down to knock Welsh side Cwmbran Town out of the Champions Cup. Their reward was a trip to Istanbul and odd-goal defeats both home and away to Galatasaray. Domestically there was little joy in the Cups, but the club made a brave effort at retaining its league crown, finishing second to Shamrock Rovers, playing attractively and scoring freely. Almost inevitably, the Munster Senior Cup provided the only silverware from an exciting campaign, though it took a penalty shoot-out to see off the challenge of Cobh Ramblers.

1994 - 1995 A UEFA Cup exit against Slavia Prague was quickly overcome and the championship success of ‘93 looked as if it might be repeated before the season rapidly turned sour, as Richardson resigned a week before Christmas with the team at the top of the table and into the League Cup final. Bishopstown was virtually unplayable, games were switched to Cobh, Turners Cross, and even one enforced trip to Tolka Park. O’Mahony was recalled but the title challenge collapsed and neither Munster or League Cup successes could ease the sadness of seeing a club on the verge of self-destruction.

1995 - 1996 Rob Hindmarch took the reins, but it was obvious he had inherited a mess. The club was in the mire, the stadium dragging it under. In mid-season the receiver was called in and the club was left homeless. Frantic efforts to save the situation saw a new Board installed and a move to Turners Cross. Penniless, Hindmarch had skimmed along with bargain basement imports but relegation still threatened, a three-point deduction adding to the problems. A Cup exit saw Dave Barry appointed and the team gleaned enough points to scramble to ninth. They lost the Munster Cup decider to junior side Waterford Glass.

1996 - 1997 A year of consolidation after the Bishopstown nightmare ended with a surprise Intertoto Cup qualification. After a disastrous start, a late run was rewarded when City finished fourth. Along the way the team claimed a League Cup final place, but unexpectedly lost on aggregate to First Division Galway United. Crowds began to increase, and the Munster Cup was recaptured, but most importantly a lot of vital repair work was undertaken and the club appeared a lot stronger than 12 months earlier.

1997 - 1998 Unbeaten in three out of four Intertoto games, it was apparent that things had been tightened up on the pitch. The spirit had returned, colours were changed to red-and-white and the fans were growing in numbers. The missing ingredient was success and by season’s end Barry would provide that. League improvement continued with a creditable third place finish. The Munster Cup was retained but it was the FAI Cup that put Cork City back on the map after several lean and desperate years. Derek Coughlan’s goal against Shelbourne ensured City got their hands on the famous trophy for the very first time.

1998 - 1999 A home win against CSKA Kyiv augured well, and so it proved. The best campaign for years saw an eight-game winning start to the league and a record 70 points accumulated from 33 matches. Incredibly, City had to accept runners-up medals behind St Patrick’s Athletic after a titanic contest between the pair. A great run in the League Cup brought the trophy home for the third time with victory over Shamrock Rovers. City were awarded the Munster Senior Cup when Waterford refused to play in the delayed final.

1999 - 2000 Once again City claimed a famous result in Europe, defeating IFK Gothenburg at the Cross. Hopes were high of another sustained challenge in the title race and for the second year the team finished runners-up, a full eleven points adrift of Shelbourne. Pat Morley equalled his own club record by hitting 20 league goals and at the end of it all Dave Barry announced his retirement. Former Shelbourne boss Colin Murphy was unveiled as his successor for the following season. Only the Munster Cup made its way to the City trophy cabinet, neighbours Cobh Ramblers beaten 5:0 in the decider.

2000 - 2001 Colin Murphy stayed for one Super Cup game before departing to Leicester City. In the lurch, the club brought Derek Mountfield in facing a UEFA Cup tie in Lausanne. Mountfield had a turbulent ride in his first managerial appointment, the team lacking consistency, goals and luck. After relative success in preceding seasons crowds again dwindled as the team struggled and the former Everton stalwart was sacked in January, after just six months in charge. Liam Murphy took over and the team embarked on a 13-game unbeaten run than brought an Intertoto ticket and a tenth Munster Cup success.

2001 - 2002 A controversial link-up with Premier Division side Leicester City and local outfit Mayfield United was not warmly received by the Cork fans. There were embarrassing home and away defeats against Liepajas on the European front. Inconsistency was again the bane of the team and another season of poor gates, with a mid-table finish and no decent FAI or League Cup run meant the club had reached another vital crossroads in its history. Yet again the Munster Cup offered meagre consolation from a difficult campaign. The board stepped down at season’s end and Brian Lennox assumed full control of the club.

2002 - 2003 A season of sharp contrasts that ended with Liam Murphy resigning. Gradually building a new side in his two years in charge Murphy produced a young team that was by equal measure breathtaking at home and dismal away. And yet success was within touching distance; a home FAI Cup semi-final defeat against a moderate Derry City in particular tore the heart out of what promised to be a glorious year. At the finish Europe proved beyond a side that could only muster a solitary win on the road, yet had started out brilliantly on home soil.

2003 Pat Dolan was unveiled as the new City boss as the club ushered in a new era of professionalism. On the pitch performances were mixed as new players were drafted, and old hands released or retired. The biggest disappointment was probably an opening round FAI Cup defeat at home to Shelbourne, and once again the Munster Senior Cup was the only trophy collected. Still, an Intertoto Cup spot was secured –a definite sign of improved standing compared to recent campaigns.

2004 Pat Dolan's second season as City manager proved very successful, both on a European and domestic level. City surpassed Malmo FF and NEC Nijmegen in the Intertoto Cup, but fell victim to Nantes in the Quarter-Final. After disappointing domestic cup campaigns, and a drought in league form, a squad meeting was held which resulted in a 12 game unbeaten run for the Rebel Army. Second place was secured and UEFA Cup football would return to Cork in 2005.

2005 In March 2005, Pat Dolan was sacked in pre-season and replaced by Damien Richardson.

Honours

• League Titles: 1992-93
• FAI Cups: 1998
• League Cups: 1987-88, 1994-95, 1998-99
• Munster Senior Cups: 1987-88, 1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94, 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04

League Records 1984-2004

Most Appearances

455 - John CAULFIELD

356 - Declan DALY

331 - Pat MORLEY

Most Starts

376 - John CAULFIELD

350 - Declan DALY

312 - Pat MORLEY

Most Successive Starts

102 Michael DEVINE (13.03.02 - 19.11.04)

97 Pat MORLEY (01.04.90 - 27.02.93)

90 Gareth CRONIN (25.08.95 - 01.03.98)

86 John CAULFIELD (27.08.94 - 19.01.97)

76 Pat MORLEY (25.08.93 - 10.11.95)

74 Ollie CAHILL (22.04.98 - 10.09.00)

Most Substitute Appearances in Total

79 John CAULFIELD

41 Colin T O'BRIEN

40 Colin P O'BRIEN

Most Substitute Appearances in Season

20 Denis BEHAN (2004)

18 John CAULFIELD (1999-00 & 2000-01)

16 Len DOWNEY (1990-91)

14 John COTTER (1997-98)

14 Colin P O'BRIEN (2002-03 & 2003)

14 Denis BEHAN (2003)

Most Successive Substitute Appearances

24 Colin P O'BRIEN (22.11.02 - 11.11.03)

Most Goals in Total

129 John CAULFIELD (455 games)

129 Pat MORLEY (331 games)

50 Dave BARRY (206 games)

41 John O'FLYNN (75 games)

30 Ollie CAHILL (194 games)

Most Goals in Season

20 Pat MORLEY 1992-93 (37 games)

20 Pat MORLEY 1999-00 (33 games)

16 John CAULFIELD 1991-92 (33 games)

16 John CAULFIELD 1994-95 (33 games)

15 Pat MORLEY 1990-91 (33 games)

15 Pat MORLEY 1993-94 (31 games)

15 John O'FLYNN 2002-03 (27 games)

Most Goals in Match

Ollie CAHILL

3 v Waterford United (H) 04.10.98 (5:0)

3 v St Patrick's Athletic (A) 07.09.01 (3:1)

John CAULFIELD

3 v Sligo Rovers (H) 23.11.86 (3:2)

3 v St Patrick's Athletic (A) 19.01.92 (4:2)

John O'FLYNN

3 v Bray Wanderers (H) 27.12.02 (3:1)

3 v UCD (A) 18.04.03 (3:0)

Kelvin FLANAGAN

3 v Sligo Rovers (A) 03.04.99 (5:2)

Pat MORLEY

3 v Drogheda United (A) 05.01.92 (3:1)

Colin T O'BRIEN

3 v Sligo Rovers (A) 14.11.99 (5:0)

Most Penalties Scored in Total

12 Pat MORLEY

12 Kelvin FLANAGAN

Most Penalties Scored in Season

5 Eamon O'KEEFE 1987-88

4 Kelvin FLANAGAN 1998-99

Most Shut-outs in Total

111 Phil HARRINGTON (255 games)

49 Michael DEVINE (151 games)

38 Noel MOONEY (103 games)

Most Shut-outs in Season

18 Phil HARRINGTON 1990-91 (30 games)

15 Michael DEVINE 2003 (36 games)

15 Phil HARRINGTON 1989-90 (29 games)

15 Noel MOONEY 1998-99 (33 games)

Successive Shut-outs

6 Phil HARRINGTON (07.01.90 - 11.02.90)

5 Phil HARRINGTON (08.01.89 - 12.02.89)

Red Cards

5 Declan DALY

3 Greg O'HALLORAN

Record Wins and Defeats

Home: 5:0 v Waterford United (04.10.98)

Home: 0:4 v Sligo Rovers (31.03.85)

Home: 0:4 v St Patrick's Athletic (28.01.01)

Away: 7:1 v Limerick City (26.09.93)

Away: 2:7 v Derry City (27.09.87)

Highest Score Draw

4:4 v Shelbourne (28.12.97)

Longest Unbeaten Run

In Total: 24 (01.04.90 - 13.01.91)

One Season: 20 (02.09.90 - 13.01.91)

Home Games: 20 (01.04.90 - 17.04.91)

Away Games: 17 (14.01.90 - 13.01.91)

Most Successive Wins

8 (30.08.98 - 18.10.98)

7 (23.09.04 - 26.10.04)

Most Successive Draws

7 (30.09.84 - 11.11.84)

Most Successive Defeats

5 (25.09.88 - 23.10.88)

5 (28.04.96 - 22.09.96)

All statistics refer to League games only.

Correct to 20.11.2004

Contact Information

Cork City FC,
Turners Cross Stadium,
Curragh Road,
Cork City,
Ireland.

Tel: +353(0)21 - 4321 958
Fax: +353(0)21 - 4321 958
info@corkcityfc.ie

External Links

• Cork City FC Website
• Cork City on FAI.ie