Cork City’s kids are alright as U20s reach Munster Senior Cup semi-finals 

Cork City's kids are alright after guiding the club to the semi-finals of the Munster Senior Cup for the first time since 2023.

The U20s were tasked with away trips to Midleton and Ringmahon Rangers, and each hurdle was overcome with relative ease.

Cork City are now one step closer to lifting a trophy they used to own during the 90s and 00s.

The most important thing in the grand scheme of things is development, and making sure a talented group of U20s continue their journey towards senior football.

Colm Bermingham is overseeing this transition, and the coach is thrilled with their progress through the cold nights of January and the balancing act of working with the senior team under Barry Robson.

“It’s brilliant,” he talked about the last few weeks for the U20s.

“I think a couple of these lads are in with the first team as well, which is fantastic and which is what it's all about. 

"I think, look, as well, we're only a couple of weeks into our pre-season, so we're still kind of building for our season that starts in a couple of weeks. But, look, it's great exposure for them.

“It was the same against Midleton, you know, a good crowd here. A real physical test, and that's what we need in pre-season as well. 

"So, yeah, look, a good game for us.” 

The spine of that group has been involved with two squads through preseason, as one group took part in the Munster Senior Cup and the other in a series of friendlies against League of Ireland sides.

Their names are well known around the club, and around the country, for those that have played underage football with the Republic of Ireland. That in itself creates a Venn diagram linked by Matthew Murray, Brody Lee, and Tom McGrath, three players with a lot of attention.

There’s been talks of trials, with Murray going that way for a spell with Brighton & Hove Albion during the summer of 2024, and maybe more but the future is unwritten as the only thing that matters at this moment in time is learning on the ball with City.

That’s what made the Ringmahon Rangers win so special, as it was a statement made against the best team this season in the Munster Senior League.

“We were delighted to get through and delighted with the win,” Bermingham explained.

“Obviously, coming up against Ringmahon, we knew it was going to be a tough game.

“They're obviously going really, really well in the league. They’ve been in the last couple of Intermediate Cup finals as well, so a very, very good side. 

"We knew we had to be at it and turn up, both with the ball and without the ball. 

"Thankfully, we got through to the next round, which is great.” 

Now comes the balancing act as Bermingham works with Liam Kearney, Cork City’s Head of Academy, to make sure his players aren’t overworked.

“A lot of organisation,” he went through that process.

“Obviously, it is head up by Liam, who I work really closely with in the academy. You know, for example, you saw Cillian Murphy come off after 60 minutes. He obviously played minutes for the first team in Limerick against Galway.

“So, look, obviously, Cillian probably would have liked to stay on the pitch himself, but it's early days, so it's just getting that balance right, making sure that people are getting the right minutes. 

"We were back in on the Saturday with the 20s. We've another fixture, so that gives people that didn't get minutes against Ringmahon another opportunity in pre-season as well.” 

Those opportunities are ultimately the most important thing, and Cork City is known for those opportunities after building a clear link from the U13s to senior team. 

It means there is a pathway and that has made Turner’s Cross a very attractive destination for young footballers in south Munster.

“That's what we're trying to encourage here,” Bermingham explained.

“Obviously, Liam has a fantastic set-up in place from under-13s, and now we've development squads right through to U20s.

“You know, a lot of these players, the likes of Finn Dalton, Liam Quinn, they started out at a 13s level many years ago. 

"A lot of players in, and first-team training. So, it's great for them, and that's what we want. 

"The likes of Matthew Murray, et cetera, getting into the first-team set-up.”