'We’re going again on Friday': Cork City v Kerry thriller the perfect League of Ireland introduction

A crowd of 5,366 were at Turner's Cross on Easter Monday with a number of people attending their first ever League of Ireland match.

COMEBACK KID: Tadhg watches his first League of Ireland match from the Shed as Cork City come from behind to beat Kerry. Pic: Andrew Horgan.

Just for the record, I was planning to take my nephew Tadhg to his first Cork City match long before the club decided to reduce all tickets for their clash on Easter Monday to €5.

Given that the kick-off time was 5pm, almost three hours earlier than usual (and his bedtime) and that it was Colin Healy’s Kerry in town, it felt like the right time to go.

But before we did, there was just a few small details to clear up for the young, enthusiastic, Liverpool, Cork GAA, Ballinora GAA and Republic of Ireland supporter, who also plays for Ballinhassig AFC, Ballinora as well as a bit of Golf.

“So, Tadhg, we’re going to Turner’s Cross, not Anfield, not Páirc Uí Chaoimh (where he watched Ballinora win a county title last November), and not the Aviva Stadium.

“We’ll be going to watch Cork City, not Liverpool, Cork, Ballinora, nor Ireland.

“No, Mo Salah won’t be playing, neither will Patrick Horgan (no relation), Darragh Holmes (relation and Ballinora forward), and Troy Parrott sadly won’t be involved either.”

Seani Maguire will be there though. More on him later but anything else to clear up? “Yes, there will be a shop!” he is happy to learn.

And with that, and with thanks to my employers for letting me finish my shift a little early, we departed for the Cross shortly after 4pm, as soon as he decided what mini easter egg he would like to bring with him for the short journey.

By 4.50pm, we are in our seats at the St Anne’s End, armed with a packet of wine gums, a 7up and a matchday programme.

“See him on the cover, his name is Fiacre, he is Caoimhín Kelleher’s brother,” he’s informed. More on him later too because now it’s just before 5pm and here come the teams.

Tadhg on his way to Turner's Cross. Pic: Andrew Horgan.

There’s barely enough time to tell him Cork City are in white and Kerry are in black before the referee points to the penalty spot. Two minutes into Tadhg’s debut and former City striker Cian Murphy fires Kerry in front. He boos. It wasn’t supposed to go like this.

City soon pile forward but penalty appeal after penalty appeal from Tadhg is waved away by the referee, mainly because the ball wasn’t anywhere near the Kingdom box. But he’s invested now.

It’s a frustrating half for City as Kerry defend resolutely and as half time approaches, Tadhg wants to know when we are going back to the shop, this time for crisps.

By the time we re-visit the ‘Siopa’ and make our way towards the back of the Shed where City will be attacking in the second period, also arguably the best place to avoid the potential swirling wind and rain, City find themselves 2-0 down.

After switching ends and then the restart, attention starts to wane and YouTube is called upon so he can watch diggers after spotting someone further down the stand with an iPad. I’m close to wanting to watch diggers myself until suddenly... GOAL. Seanie Maguire heads home from close range and City are right back in the match with 55 minutes on the clock.

Tadhg is now watching diggers play football, funnily enough, on my phone but his interest is growing after seeing, and hearing, Maguire send the Shed into full voice.

Memories to last a lifetime 🤩#CCFC84 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/Z7NRlgeX4T

— Cork City FC (@CorkCityFC) April 7, 2026

PENALTY. AND A RED CARD. Tadhg’s standing on the seat now to my left. Maguire slots it into the bottom left corner. 2-2. I turn towards him but he's not there. Where is he? Oh, there he is. Running up the steps. He wants a City winner and there’s just over 10 minutes to get it. But first, he wants to watch more diggers.

Cillian Murphy, who turns 17 in July, and his dancing feet are peaking the interest of Tadhg, who turns six in May. But despite his best efforts, City remain level heading into injury time. Have they left it too late?

GOAL. Fiacre Kelleher, remember Caoimhin’s brother from earlier, looks to have scored the winner in injury time. The Shed goes wild until… ANOTHER GOAL. Seani Maguire, remember him from earlier when we said he could be your new hero, completes his hat-trick.

Took my nephew to his first Cork City match. 2-0 down at half time. 4-2 up by full time. Seani Maguire hat-trick. 5,366 in attendance. Not a bad introduction to the League of Ireland in fairness #CCFC84 pic.twitter.com/jhwnk1sTIJ

— Andrew Horgan (@AndrewHorgan) April 6, 2026

Full time and City have done it. City have won it as the crowd of an impressive 5,633, including a large away following, head for the exits. Luckily for the tired youngster, the car isn’t parked too far away.

So much has happened during his League of Ireland debut that it’s hard to know what he really made of it as we drive for home.

But once he arrives, he informs my sister that “we’re going again on Friday night,” before he begins humming the tune ‘After all’ by the Frank and Walters. That answers that then.

Unfortunately for Tadhg, City are away to Treaty United on Friday night and their next home match the following week is definitely past his bedtime.

But the main thing for him, and for many of the young children in attendance at Turner’s Cross on Monday, is that this can just be the start of his League of Ireland journey.

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