Cork City to lift First Division title as Greg Bolger bids farewell to the Cross

One last home outing awaits Cork City in the 2026 First Division season, as they host Finn Harps at Turner’s Cross this evening (7.45pm).

There’s nothing at all for either side to play for; City are certain of their place at the top of the table, Finn Harps know they’ll be propping it up by the conclusion of the campaign. But it will be Greg Bolger’s last game at Turner’s Cross as a player, with the City midfielder announcing his intention to retire at the end of the season.

The 38-year-old’s career comes to an end after amassing over 450 League of Ireland appearances over the past 20 years. It’s a fitting end that Bolger goes out having won another First Division title, given his first came in 2009 with UCD.

The Wexford native went on to play for several League of Ireland clubs, winning titles at both St Pat’s and Shamrock Rovers, as well as Cork City.

It will be an emotional ending, but a sweet one, as Turner's Cross fills up for the long-awaited trophy lift. One more away trip remains, but tonight puts a stamp on this year and marks the transition to next season, when the Leesiders will hope to avoid relegation on their immediate return to the Premier Division.

The remaining games for manager Barry Robson will be about keeping every man fresh and fit ahead of the forthcoming campaign, and he confirmed after last week’s defeat to Athlone Town that that was why Chris N’Sa didn’t feature and Hans Mpongo was dropped to the bench.

“He [N’Sa] was just feeling his hamstring a little bit and we didn't want to take a chance. We knew Greg Bolger was going to play 60 minutes tonight and Hans [Mpongo] has been feeling his calf so we left him out tonight, and I'm just trying to spell Seanie [Maguire] a bit with [Ruairí] Keats.

“My main aim is to get everybody over the line the next couple of games fit,” Robson explained. “I don't want any injuries going into the close season, that's my most important thing at the moment.

“We've got a few niggles and a few boys missing. Charlie [Lyons], I think we'll get him back next week. 

We knew we were going to make changes, and we're getting a good look at some of the younger players which is good.” 

It was a second consecutive 2-1 defeat for Robson’s team, as Athlone finished deserved winners last Friday. The result gave Athlone a healthy boost to their playoff hopes, but the race remains tightly packed between seventh and second.

Only five points separate the six teams occupying the places behind City, with one point standing between fourth-placed Cobh and seventh-placed Athlone.

Fortunately for City, with the title long wrapped up it’s of no concern, and Robson is looking forward to tonight’s occasion as the players get to enjoy the silverware after the season they’ve put in.

“Yeah that's the most important part for us,” Robson added. “The boys really deserve it, the fans really deserve it, all the staff at the club really deserve it.

Party time

“That's what we've worked so hard for, and we've done it. We made sure we've done that [won the league] weeks ago. It'll be good to get everybody and we'll get everybody back, we'll get Charlie back and obviously Hans.

“We'll get everybody back and get them on the pitch at some stage,” he said. “And we'll make sure that we can get as many players on the pitch as possible next week for the big celebration for us all.”