2026 LOI Fixtures: First Cork derby set for March 6 at St Colman's Park

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025 - 11:24

Jack McKay

The first Cork derby of the 2026 League of Ireland First Division season will take place on Friday, March 6, as Cobh Ramblers host rivals Cork City at St Colman’s Park.

By that stage the teams will have both played three games – the season commences on Friday, February 13 – and the two will have started their campaigns with home ties.

City’s relegation to the second tier, which certainly wasn’t on the agenda when they returned to the top flight ahead of 2025, will see them begin at Turner’s Cross against Treaty United, the side that lost last year’s playoff final to Bray Wanderers.

Cobh Ramblers, who were left disappointed to be eliminated by the Limerick side over the two legs in the playoff semi-finals, will begin their season when they host Wexford FC. It is their first time that the Rams will host their opening First Division fixture since 2020.

Both Cork clubs are on the road during week two, Rams travelling to Longford Town for a 7.30pm kick off on Saturday, February 21, while Cork City are heading east to Wexford on the Friday, February 20.

Cathal O'Sullivan of Cork City celebrates after the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division match between Cobh Ramblers and Cork City in 2024. Picture: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

The remaining Cork derby meetings are July 3 at St Colman’s Park, then at Turner’s Cross, on May 1 and September 11. Cork City will finish their season away to Kerry FC, while Cobh’s season concludes as it began in 2025; away to Treaty United.

The Rebel Army will be looking to bounce back and secure a swift return to the Premier Division under Ger Nash, following an underwhelming 2025 season that saw them relegated with just four wins across 36 games.

The Rams, despite their best First Division campaign in years and finishing second, just 10 points off title winners Dundalk, fell at the first hurdle in the playoffs. With Mick McDermott departing as manager at the end of the year, Fran Rockett has taken his place for 2026.

Rockett – who was assistant manager under Shane Keegan during their exceptional 2023 playoff run – has already brought back Wilson Waweru, a key player in that run, following his contract expiry at Sligo Rovers. This time Waweru joins on a permanent contract rather than as a loan signing. The Rams have already signed goalkeeper Corey Chambers.