IN late 2005, Cork City were hurtling towards their first league title in 12 years. On a grim Monday evening in Dalymount Park, a polished performance saw Damien Richardson’s side swat Shamrock Rovers aside, 2-0.

The manner of their slick victory was cruel and contemptuous. Rovers were all but damned to the First Division and the Leesiders – who were visiting the ‘neutral’ compound of the Hoops’ hated rivals, Bohemians – showed little in the way of sympathy for what had been a turbulent season in the life of Ireland’s most famous club.

That history had counted for nothing when, just months previously, they had come so close to death before being taken over by their own supporters. The fans knew well they couldn’t have both survival and success so relegation was inevitable. And here they were, being spanked on their way out the door by the soon-to-be champions.

A strange thing happened after full time. The sizeable contingent of Rovers supporters approached the travelling hordes busy celebrating at the opposite end of the Des Kelly Stand. At first mischief was suspected. Instead, the emotional Hoops chanted repeatedly: “Keep the green flag flying high/Rovers will never die”. A warm response from the Leesiders indicated that, in truth, their erstwhile rivals hoped the same.

But who really believed Rovers would bounce back? Who would ever have thought that just over 40 months later, it would be Cork City on their knees (again)? And that in stark contrast to the revived Rovers, second place in the Premier Division while the country’s top striker, Gary Twigg, happily bangs the goals in at their new stadium in Tallaght. All while moving forward with the sort of financial philosophy that should really qualify their board for election to Leinster House.

Meanwhile, not long after Judge Mary Laffoy squeezed out the last bit of mercy she had for the (surely) doomed Cork City Investments Ltd at the High Court on Monday, club chairman Tom Coughlan must have watched on with envy as the Real Madrid Galácticos sauntered off their jet at Dublin Airport.

This game does indeed turn swiftly.

 

john.riordan@examiner.ie

Twitter: @JohnWRiordan