Sport in Cork
Our Local Studies department holds a very good collection of books on Cork sport. The collection ranges from histories of GAA, rugby, and soccer clubs to biographies of the Cork sporting legends, Christy Ring, Jack Doyle, Roy Keane, and many others.
Cork has a distinguished and well established tradition of sporting life. The Cork senior hurling team were All-Ireland champions in 2004 & 2005. Only Kilkenny has more senior hurling titles than Cork; Kilkenny has 32 to Cork’s 30, a situation all Cork hurlers and their supporters would like to rectify. This demonstrates the strength and popularity of Gaelic games in the county. This success is underpinned by the tremendous support from the Rebel fans. Soccer and rugby are also very well represented in Cork and in the 2004/2005 season Cork City FC were triumphant in the Eircom League Cork City FC was wound up in 2010, replaced by Cork City FORAS Co-Op, which play in the First Division. Cobh Ramblers F.C. is the other major team connected with Cork but the basis for these teams is the strong amateur leagues throughout the county.
Rugby is an inherent part of Cork sports and flourishes from school level up to a strong presence in the AIB League with Cork Constitution and Dolphin. Cork has given many great rugby players to Munster and Ireland over the years. Hockey is also prevalent with Cork Harlequins, Belvedere, UCC and Cork Church of Ireland as strong forces in Irish club hockey.
As well as the more mainstream sports, Cork is also home to Cricket, Road Bowling, and even American Football.
A more comprehensive list of sporting clubs for Cork can be found at the Cork Guide. See also Dave Hannigan’s essay on Sporting Cork.