The Lost Clubs: Cork United

In the third edition of a new series, The Lost Clubs, we look back on the history of Cork United.

By Andrew Horgan

Cork’s long history in the League of Ireland is rather complex, to say the least.

While local rivals Cobh Ramblers have played under the same name since its inception in 1922, The Leesiders have taken nine different forms. In fact, some would argue that Cork can often be used as an example of how complicated it can be to run a football club.

It all began back in 1924 when Fordson F.C, from the Ford Motor Company, became the first Cork team to feature in the League. After they enjoyed their first taste of major silverware in 1926 - when they surprisingly defeated Shamrock Rovers to claim the FAI Cup - years of hardship would follow as financial difficulties began to take its toll and lead to the club taking on numerous different forms.

In 1930, Fordsons were disbanded as their parent company no longer had an interest in paying for a professional football team. Cork F.C. took their place and claimed the FAI Cup in 1934, the same year that Cork Bohemians was forced to resign from the League having only been established two years previously. .And Cork F.C would follow suit in 1938 as they were forced into voluntary liquidation and quickly replaced by the first carnation of Cork City.

But City too suffered the same faith as the previous clubs as their refusal to pay a 10 pound fine, following their failure to pay Shelbourne a share of the gate for their fixture at the Mardyke, resulted in them being expelled from the League on January 30, 1940. Just seven days later, however, like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, Cork had its fifth League of Ireland club in 16 years. Courtesy of donations from local supporters, it was announced at a public meeting in the City Hall that Cork United would be granted permission to complete the remaining League fixtures vacated by Cork City F.C.

A total of 12 points from the remaining 10 games was good enough to earn United fifth place in the League standings but it provided a platform for future success.

A tame opening to the 1940/41 season had supporters resigned to another mediocre campaign until a run of 10 wins in succession over the Christmas period capitulated the club into the title race. That run was ultimately halted though by title rivals Waterford, in front of a crowd close to 8,400 at the club's home ground in the Mardyke, which earned the club just 417 pounds. Waterford won the battle but Cork United ultimately won the war as they recovered from that defeat to claim the League crown at the expense of their Munster counterparts.

With both sides ending the season level on points after 22 games, the destination of the League title was to be decided in a play-off. But that play-off match never took place as seven Waterford players, including Cork natives Timothy Jim O’Keefe, Tawser Myers and Tolol Daly were suspended following their demand to be paid their draw bonus of 2.50 pound even if they lost the decider. Interestingly, Cork offered to pay the Waterford players their bonus, knowing they would recoup more in gate receipts, but their opponents refused out of principle and The Leesiders were able to add the League title to their FAI Cup success, achieved several weeks earlier, by default.

Despite Treasurer Dr M Gould announcing that the club made a loss in its first full season in the League of Ireland, manager Billy Little added several new signings as the club looked to retain their honours in the 1941/42 season. Florrie Burke and Richie Noonan both joined the ranks but the signature of Ballincollig-born Billy Hayes from English top flight side Huddersfield really captured the public’s eye.

A stunning 20-match unbeaten run saw United retain their League crown ahead of Shamrock Rovers, who ended that winning streak and were two points shy of forcing another championship play-off. But Little’s men were unable to record back-to-back doubles as they were defeated in the FAI Cup final by Dundalk. Again though, despite the success, United continued to struggle financially resulting in director Mr Kenworthy releasing charts showing the extent of the clubs expenses in their first match day programme in an attempt to appease fans.

One chart that did make for pleasant reading at the time was that of the League’s highest goal scorers, which United striker Sean McCarthy topped each season between 1942 and 1945, netting 58 times across those three seasons. His strikes helped United become the first club to win the League three times in a row but there was to be more disappointment in the FAI Cup as they were again beaten in the final this time by Drumcondra.

The 1943/44 season was a difficult one for United as they finally relinquished their League title and they also failed to make the FAI Cup final for the first time in its short history. It was also a year when the club mourned the untimely death of winger Tim O’Keefe, who had been capped three times by the Republic of Ireland in the 1930’s.

United roared back to form in the 1944/45, hitting rivals Shamrock Rovers for six and Brideville of Dublin for nine in a season where they averaged four goals a game to comfortably seal their fourth title in five years. That was to be the lethal Sean McCarthy’s last season with the club as he decided to swap the south of Ireland for the North where he would earn an increase in wages.

United brought Paddy O’Leary in from Limerick in order to replace McCarthy’s goals and it worked a treat as O’Leary finished as the league’s top scorer with 15, although six of those came in a single game against Drumcondra, as Cork again became champions for the fifth time in six years.

Following the conclusion of the Second World War, Billy Hayes returned to Huddersfield and immediately became their first choice full-back before he too received international recognition. Sean McCarthy returned following his brief stint with Belfast Celtic to form a deadly partnership with Paddy O’Leary but while they couldn’t score the goals to guide United to the title, they did help secure another FAI Cup in 1947, beating Bohemians 2-0 with a side comprising of only Cork-born players.

It was also a year in which the team made their only ever appearance at Turner’s Cross due to the Mardyke being waterlogged. But again, despite their success, the Rebels recorded a loss for the season and in the summer they tried to rectify that by selling key players Johnny McGowan and Tommy Moroney to West Ham, while Jackie O’Driscoll joined Swansea City.

United started the season poorly and supporters began to stay away from the ground in their droves. The quality of the football fell away further following the sale of the talented Frank O’Farrell, who also left for West Ham, which was believed to have been one of the reasons behind chairman Billy Williams resigning.

United finished in mid-table and exited the FAI Cup at the semi-final stage to compound a rare miserable season for the side but things would only get worse for manager J.J Commins, who once turned down the approach of Manchester United in favour of staying put at Barrow.

Due to financial difficulties, United would have to sell striker Sean McCarthy, who had finished the 1947/48 season as the division’s top scorer, and Paddy Noonan to clubs across the Irish Sea.

United started the 1948/49 season badly although there was a bright point as they surprisingly defeated Shamrock Rovers at the Mardyke. Unknown at the time but that would prove to be the last home game the great Cork United would play.

In October 1948, Cork United FC Ltd formally dissolved following an Extraordinary General Meeting. The club confirmed it had made a loss in finance every year it was in existence and during its final season, it recorded losses of 120 pound per week with only 100 persons purchasing season tickets. Thus ended the story of Cork’s fifth League of Ireland club which, even despite remarkable success of five league titles and two FAI Cups, couldn’t keep its finances in order.

The Cork United name would re-emerge in 1979 as Cork Alberts F.C. rebranded following the expulsion of Cork Celtic. Its return was short lived as they too were expelled from the league in 1982. But one thing is for certain, Cork United will always retain its place in Irish football folklore, even if it is for its boardroom failures as much as its on-field triumphs.

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