Can Cork City survive in a thriving Premier Division?

Last month the FAI began seeking applicants to join a new third tier in Irish football's pyramid.

While it is likely to still be a couple of years away from becoming a reality, it will be interesting to see what impact this has on the game here.

For now, we can only speculate, but with 40 years of two tiers in the league, it is an interesting time to assess the impact of the First Division. This may be of particular relevance to last year’s winner of that league, Cork City, as they look to compete again in the top tier in 2025.

Last year’s two promoted teams, Galway United and Waterford, had two of the best seasons in recent memory for clubs returning to the top division. Both had realistic chances of European qualification for much of the campaign. Their combined points total of 97 was the most for any season where two clubs have come up and individually they were both in the top seven for the summer era:

Team

Year

Points

League position

Derry City

2011

68

3rd

Sporting Fingal

2010

62

4th

Waterford

2018

59

4th

Galway United

2024

52

5th

Shamrock Rovers

2007

51

5th

Waterford

2024

45

7th

Waterford

2003

45

6th

This sets a very high bar for a Cork City side who suffered painful immediate demotion following their most recent promotion when they were beaten in a play-off by Waterford at the end of 2023 season. So how tough is the task they have?

Since the First Division was founded for the 1985-86 season it has introduced 16 new clubs to the league including the six for it’s first season. Only one of those 16 (Derry City) are currently in the Premier Division.

Just four others remain in the league (Bray Wanderers, Cobh Ramblers, Kerry and Wexford) with the initial 1985 entrants having the most longevity as only Newcastle United failed to last at least 23 years.

Desp