Cork Business League Season Preview 2026
Calendar Season looks set to enthral!
A surge of energy hits as the season bursts into view! With talk finally turning into action, the Cork Business League becomes the first in Cork to adopt the FAI’s innovative calendar‑year model, kicking off a full, fast‑paced season ahead, writes Finbarr Buckley.
The league’s opening competition, the CBL Grandons Shield, which is already underway at the time of writing, will be keenly contested. Holders Dennehy’s Health & Fitness Grangevale have strengthened their squad in preseason with a number of additions, notably goalkeepers Robert Osbourne and former Jay Bazz Mick Mooney Cup winner Aaron Hosford to replace 2004/05 treble winning custodian Jamie O’Sullivan who moved to Irish Sepsis Foundation Ballyphehane Celtic. Six-time winners Doolan’s Cow along with HELIO Inter Cork, ARC Rovers, DoMa Giants, The LAB all from the Premier Division are well capable of mounting a challenge along with ISF Ballyphehane, Jay Bazz, OBS, Here’s Health and Abbey from the First Division.
In the League, the Premier Division looks like being the most competitive for many a season. A lot of questions are down for decision here! Can champions Doolan’s Cow, who lost only one fixture last season in winning their seventh title with points to spare, win a 8th title? Will the eager pack hoping to land a first title come to the fore?
James Corcoran’s ISF Ballyphehane Celtic will be looking to win the First Division title for the first time. He has added the Temple United duo Conor Callaghan and Ryan Constant and Timmy O’Reilly from Carrigaline United to his already talented squad. However, his quest to do so will be severely tested by the improving Abbey and Here’s Health with promoted O’Brien Scaffolding and Marlboro Trust capable of putting a decent run together which could well shake up the race. The Weigh Inn Dripsey Celtic survived the drop last season and will be looking to finish among the promotion places in 2026.
The Second Division championship looks to be between the relegated pair of Cork County Council and DCT and last season’s contenders Fisherman’s Rest Valley Rangers and ePower East Cork along with the returning Andy Sull’s Hair. The addition of debutants CFA Carrigaline Celtic and A1 Event will bring youth and enthusiasm to the division.
The blue-ribbon competition of the league’s calendar, the Mick Mooney Cup, will test many of the established teams this year. Holders Jay Bazz will attempt to win back-to-back trophies and despite not being in the topflight will certainly be a handful under the stewardship of the experienced Rob Twomey.
The Divisional Cup competitions will complete the historic first Calendar season on a high. Jackie O’Driscoll Cup holders ARC Rovers will be looking to emulate Doolan’s Cow’s three in-a-row by adding a third success on the trot, hoping to avoid a penalty shoot-out on this occasion. In the Frank Linehan Cup; last season’s finalists ISF Ballyphehane Celtic and Abbey will be in the hat again this season joined by last season’s Shandon Cup finalists OBS and Marlboro Trust following their promotions. The Shandon Cup competition is set for first time finalists and could well be the most memorable final of the three. Best of luck to all teams and have a season to savour!
