With six games to go in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division, Cork City can already look forward to life outside of the second tier after sealing promotion to the Premier last Friday.
But are the foundations in place to avoid 2025 replicating their last foray into the top flight?
Two years ago, the club won the First Division but then followed that up with last season’s Premier Division campaign which ultimately proved to be a struggle as Cork went straight back down via a relegation play-off final defeat to Waterford.
The latter club’s trajectory, along with Galway United will be the example that City will aim to replicate, with both having thrived under the experienced Keith Long and John Caulfield after being promoted to the top division for this season.
Former St Patrick’s Athletic manager Johnny McDonnell is quitely optimistic that Cork can make the step up on a surer footing in 2025, citing Tim Clancy’s previous experience as head coach of a promoted side whilst at Drogheda United who he reestablished in the Premier Division in their first season back in 2021.
“Tim has been there before so he knows the league,” McDonnell told the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
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“He knows what’s required in the league, he’ll know the standard of players that he has in the First Division and who will be able to make the step up.
“It’s good for them that they have the opportunity now to have time to go and see players and go and scout players.”
The summer window saw Cork bolster their forward line with the returns of prolific former servants Sean Maguire and Ruairi Keating who have thrived in the Premier Division previously, with their arrivals described as “a new benchmark for ambition in the Premier Division next year” by RTÉ soccer columnist Eoin Doyle.
“I think Cork City are in a good place at the moment – compare that with where Dundalk are,” McDonnell added.
“And I think the league need Cork City back in, fans wise and things like that.
“But Tim will have a bit of work to do. There might be a few players floating around, coming out of teams that have big squads.
“But they will need to do a Galway or a Waterford where they get off to a good start next season and make sure they maintain their position in the league and try and build on that over the next year or two.
“I think Tim’s experience of being in the league from previous will stand to him and to Cork City.”
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