A mixed year for Cork soccer clubs at local and national level 

Christmas is a time of reflection, as we use the break to look back on everything won and lost over the last year.

There's plenty to talk about within the world of Cork soccer after a 12 month stretch that had everything, at local and national level.

The story was Cork City and how their return to the Premier Division ended in relegation, something that seemed inevitable from the midway point of the campaign. 

There was a run to the FAI Cup final, a pathway that saw memorable victories over Waterford and St Patrick's Athletic, but there was no reward at the Aviva as Shamrock Rovers took home the trophy and competed the double.

The Hoops rubbed salt into the wound by doing it with two former Cork City players in their staring XI, Carrigaline United academy graduate Josh Honohan and Matt Healy, formerly of College Corinthians.

The Rebel Army also struggled in the Women’s Premier Division, and that led to another basement finish. 

There was progress at underage level as the U17s reached their EA Sports LOI Cup Final, but they lost to Shamrock Rovers in Athlone.

There was more drama over at St Colman's Park as Cobh Ramblers challenged for a first league title since 2007 with a squad bolstered by investment from multinational group FC32.

Former Glentoran manager Mick McDermott was brought in to manage a group that included a number of experienced First Division winners brought in from Cork City.

The Ramblers hit the ground running and managed to cap their start to the season with a victory over Rockmount in the Munster Senior Cup final.

Things spiralled from there as the ownership group went under and Dundalk took the initiative after Cobh lost three games in a row.

The club were saved by Digital Athlete Ventures, but there was no return to the early season highs as summer turned to autumn.

Cobh were knocked out of the FAI Cup by Kerry FC, they were downed by Wexford FC and Longford Town in the run-in, and the play-offs ended with a defeat to Treaty United in extra-time, with the decisive second leg at St Colman's Park in late October.

In between everything, McDermott left after the final day of the regular season campaign.

Fran Rockett has been brought in as his replacement, and the coach is already making waves after signing striker Wilson Waweru and re-signing Shane W. Griffin, who registered seven assists last term.

The Ramblers are now rebuilding, and will start their 2026 campaign against Leeside United in the Munster Senior Cup next January.

That competition is mostly made up of non-league sides, and it is sure to take on a new level of importance in the New Year with the FAI Intermediate Cup moving to a spring-summer year system.

Midleton will take on Cork City, after winning back to back Munster Senior League Premier Division titles in recent years. 

The club, which was taken over by Graham Cummins during the summer, also lifted the Keane Cup this season following victory over Mayfield United in the final.

The other big winners locally were College Corinthians after they finally lifted the FAI Intermediate Cup after losing the decider twice in the 1990s.

They had to do it the hard way as the semifinal involved a meeting with local rivals Douglas Hall at Moneygourney, and that finished 2-2 at the end of normal time. 

It went to penalties and Corinthians won the shoot-out 3-0, with Craig Donnellan sending them through to play Ringmahon Rangers.

Corinthians won the final 2-1, this time in extra-time, with Destiny Okonkwo hitting the winner into the St Anne’s End.

That made it an elusive double for the club, as they also won the FAI Youth Cup by defeating Mervue United at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Ringmahon Rangers had to settle for an abundance of local cups, while the FAI Intermediate Cup dream went on another for year.

The last year was also been tinged with sadness following the passing of a number of local stars, with almost every club losing someone over the last twelve months. 

There’s too many names for a small piece, from Ballincollig AFC stalwart and long-serving president Vincent Drumm to FAI Youth Cup winner turned Irish rugby international Barry McGann, but each one will be remembered.

That’s the nature of Cork soccer. 

It’s one long story, season to season, and everyone and everything holds the same level of importance, just like all the good days out and games won.