Match Preview - City vs Finn Harps

Cork City’s final home game of the 2026 season sees Finn Harps arrive to Turner’s Cross on Friday night. The Rebel Army will be presented with the First Division trophy at full time as they look to sign off for the year in front of their own fans with a win against the Donegal men. 

Having secured the title at the start of September in Bray, the City players will finally be able to hold the silverware that their efforts have merited over the course of the campaign. Before the ceremonies take place, there will be 90 minutes off football in which, first and foremost, Barry Robson’s side will be aiming to get back to winning ways and end on a high note after successive defeats away to Athlone and Longford Town. 

Added inspiration for Ruairi Keating and Seani Maguire will come from the fact the pair are level at the top of the division’s scoring charts with 17 goals apiece, as their individual quests for the golden boot enters the final stages. Hans Mpongo is also not out of the running with two games left to overhaul his attacking partners, the Dutchman currently on 14 goals. 

Greg’s Last Dance: 

Friday night will be Greg Bolger’s final appearance at the Cross, the 38-year-old midfielder announced his retirement from football last week after a success-laden two decades in the League of Ireland. Bolger will bow out with yet another medal but will be most fondly remembered on Leeside for his role in City’s 2017 double-winning side.  

Having won leagues and cups elsewhere before and since, Bolger describes that era as “definitely up there as the best squad I was apart of…for me that team probably just edges it, great squad, probably the best dressing room I’ve been in, everyone was hungry - you could just feel it.” 

Reflecting on his career as a whole and five seasons (over two stints) in Cork, Bolger looks back on “Loads of great memories, I’m lucky to have some brilliant memories here in Turner’s Cross - they’re the ones that stick out. Seeing the Cross full on European nights sticks out, Genk, the year we won the double. My fondest memories playing in the league have been with Cork City. If I was to support a team in the league when I finish up, it’ll be City.”  

Speaking about his reason’s for calling time on his career at this particular moment, the Wexford native puts it down to family, rather than footballing motivations: “At the minute I’ve a lot going on at home, I said I’d do the three hardest things in my life in the one year: get married, build a house and have a baby.”  

Looking at his plans for the future, Bolger said “I think I’m going to take a step back for a while, I haven’t lived at home for 20 years, so I want to be present at home with the family and be a good dad. Don’t get me wrong I’ll definitely be back, that’s what I want to do, but for the next year there’s things more important than football.” 

The Manager’s Words; 

On the eve of Greg’s final home match, Barry Robson added his tribute to the departing midfielder, mentioning how “ever since I came in here, he’s been terrific. He should be extremely proud of his career. I’ve loved having him, loved his professionalism, he’s helped the younger players along the way, did a lot of coaching with them. It’s not easy to play until you’re 38 years old, that takes a lot of sacrifice, and he should be massively proud of what he’s achieved. I can’t pay him enough compliments for how he’s been since I’ve been here, and I wish him all the best in the future. I’m sure whatever he goes onto do he’ll do it well and do it the way he did in his football career.” 

Turning his focus to Friday’s match, Robson relished the chance to celebrate the trophy with the supporters but stated that, first of all, “We want to put a good performance on and win the game, that’s also vitally important. Hopefully it’s going to be a good celebration afterwards, the fans have supported us all season so come and enjoy it because they’re just as important as the players are for lifting a trophy.” 

Looking beyond Friday and into the Premier Division, the City boss referenced that plans are already afoot for the new campaign: “We are in talks with some players, there’s still games to go so I can’t say too much. We are down the line with a couple but in football anything can happen. We want to get some players that are proven in the league, I think we’ve got a good crop here already, but we need to add on that and build a bit more strength in depth.” 

The arrival of 10th place Finn Harps to Turner’s Cross gives City the chance to make it 15 wins from 18 at home over the course of the season. The Donegal side’s previous appearance on Leeside resulted in a 4-0 Rebel Army triumph in late May. Harps are yet to score against the Champions this season, with the two clashes in Ballybofey ending 0-3 and 0-0. City will be hoping to end the year on home soil in style against a team that has lost 13 of their last 14 matches. 

The final fixture at the Cross before it hosts Premier Division football again is set to be a celebratory affair, hopefully in front of a fitting atmosphere with kids’ tickets for the match priced at just €1. Kick off is at 7:45pm.