Cork City's title credentials will be tested by Wexford away
Sean Maguire of Cork City in action against Darren Nwankwo of Treaty United. Picture: Matt Browne/Sportsfile
Cork City arrive in Wexford on Friday night carrying three points from the opening round and lofty expectations for the season ahead. They take on Wexford FC at Ferrycarrig Park (7.45pm), with their opponents top of the table after a very impressive opening round display.
They picked up a 3-0 win at St Colman's Park with new signing Max Murphy on the scoresheet. Stephen Elliott's side couldn’t have asked for a better start, but now comes the trickier part.
Barry Robson's Cork are the team everyone in this division will be measuring themselves against, they were clear promotion favourites before a ball was kicked.
With a front three of Seani Maguire, Ruairí Keating and Hans Mpongo, there is no excuse for Cork City not to live up to their billing as title favourites and win the title. That attack would cause problems at Premier Division level, let alone here.
The Robson era got underway with a 1-0 home win over Treaty United last Friday, but it was far from convincing.
Treaty had the better of Cork City for much of the first half. Roy Lawlor was through early after a Rory Feely miskick and should have scored. Ben Feeney hit the post. City were second best for long stretches before the break and only really grew into the game as the second half wore on.
The winner eventually arrived, deep in stoppage time. Mpongo, the new man from Finn Harps who was the standout performer throughout, squared for Keating, whose effort crept in off the post and off goalkeeper Jack Brady.
City may have been relatively strong defensively, but if Wexford can keep things compact at the back and starve Cork City’s front three of chances they’ll be in a strong position to get a point or three.
And their own opening night will bring plenty of encouragement. Ryan Ritchie finished clinically on the counter after 13 minutes to put them ahead at Cobh. Max Murphy, the PFAI First Division Team of the Year full-back signed from Bray in January, doubled the lead from the penalty spot before half-time. Jake Doyle added a third just after the break and the game was over.
Murphy's arrival has added strength to the left side. He gave Wexford an outlet that wasn't there last season on the opening night, and his penalty composure at Cobh was the perfect way to get his campaign underway.
Pair him with the quality of Adam Verdon – over 100 League of Ireland appearances, signed from UCD in the off-season – and Wexford suddenly have real quality in areas that felt light 12 months ago.
Alex Moody's new deal gives them two strong goalkeeping options. Wexford are far more dangerous than they were last season, with Elliott in his second year in charge of the club.
But, not all is rosy. Mikie Rowe, their captain for 2026 who starred for Cobh Ramblers during their playoff run under Shane Keegan, was absent in the win over his former club last week.
Aaron Dobbs – a key player for the club over the years – has departed. Cian Browne, Michael McCarthy, Conor Levingston and Muhammad Haris have left, too.
And with what Wexford are up against, this will be a tough test. Maguire and Keating are the best forwards in this league by a long shot. Mpongo, direct and physical, caused real problems on his debut and will only improve as he settles.
Greg Bolger grew into the game against Treaty and is more than experienced enough at this level. The same applies to the back three of Charlie Lyons, Rory Feely and Fiacre Kelleher.
Feely in particular, his quality is such that he has no business being at this level. His performances last season are proof of it, but it does show promise in that the majority of City’s top players have opted to stay for 2026 under Robson.
If Wexford carry over their form from last week and bring in a decent home crowd, Robson’s system – still bedding in – could suffer an early failing.
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