O'Driscoll brothers set to transfer clubs

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025 - 18:30

Barry O'Mahony

Former Cork footballer Kevin O’Driscoll is in line to transfer to Clonakilty ahead of the 2026 season.

The 36-year-old is expected to depart Tadhg MacCarthaigh after a long stint with them.

He’s currently living in Clonakilty and would be a big addition to the Clon football team. His experience and leadership will play a huge part next year as the Brewery Town look to bounce back from a disappointing campaign this year.

They failed to qualify out of their respective McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC group and nearly got dragged into a relegation play-off.

They defeated Carbery Rangers in their last group game to avoid any potential danger. It was a timely win for Martin O’Brien’s charges having lost to St Finbarr’s and Carrigaline prior to that victory.

Clonakilty have a tough group in 2026 where they will face Castlehaven, Ballincollig and Knocknagree.

The expected arrival of Kevin O’Driscoll could well prove to be a shrewd one for Clon. He enjoyed a decorated underage career with the Rebels which included All-Ireland U21 football success in 2009 under John Cleary.

Neil Gallagher of Donegal under pressure from Kevin O'Driscoll and Mark Collins of Cork in 2015. Picture: INPHO/Andrew Paton

He still had to wait however until 2015 before he made his senior championship debut against Clare in the Munster series.

His brother, Brian O’Driscoll, is currently a member of the Cork senior football panel and plays for Carrigaline at club level.

Another brother, Colm O’Driscoll, also played for the Rebels.

The latter is expected to depart Tadhg MacCarthaigh for O’Donovan Rossa. Both transfers are due to be ratified early next year.

Colm netted a last-minute winner which secured All-Ireland success for the Cork U21 footballers in 2009.

Colm O'Driscoll on the move for Cork. Picture: Diarmuid Greene/Sportsfile

O’Donovan Rossa had to beat Fermoy this year to avoid relegation from the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC.

In their group in 2026, they meet rivals Carbery Rangers, Cill na Martra and Newmarket.

The O'Driscolls' father Gene was player-coach as the Skibbereen-based side won the Cork SFC in 1992 before going on to Munster and All-Ireland glory having transferred from Tadhg MacCarthaigh.