In a vibrant pre-season showdown, Celtic edged out Cork City 2-1 to claim the inaugural Cork Super Cup at the historic SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh on July 8, 2025. The clash marked a significant occasion, not only as Celtic’s second pre-season victory but also as the first-ever men's football match hosted at the 45,000-capacity GAA stadium, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of around 26,000 fans.
Brendan Rodgers, Celtic’s manager, fielded a makeshift squad that balanced seasoned professionals with promising youth, using the match to ramp up fitness and assess squad depth ahead of the Scottish Premiership opener. The game kicked off at 6 pm under a scorching 23-degree Celsius Cork sky, setting the stage for a competitive yet spirited encounter.
The Hoops started brightly, with new signing Hayato Inamura making an immediate impression on his Celtic debut at left-back. The Japanese defender, signed from J-League outfit Albirex Niigata just days earlier, showcased composure, confidence, and attacking intent, regularly surging up the flank and delivering precise crosses. Celtic legend Peter Grant, providing co-commentary for Celtic TV, praised Inamura’s performance, noting that the £250,000 summer signing settled in well and exceeded expectations in his first outing.
Early exchanges saw Celtic dominate possession with a probing style, featuring sharp interplay between midfielders and wingers. The breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Luke McCowan, who enjoyed a breakthrough season last year, unleashed a thunderbolt strike from the edge of the box. After slick build-up involving James Forrest and Arne Engels, McCowan’s first-time left-footed effort rocketed into the top corner, sending the visiting supporters into raptures and giving Celtic a deserved 1-0 lead at halftime.
Rodgers made wholesale changes at the interval, introducing an entirely fresh XI for the second half to test the squad’s breadth. Among the replacements were Ross Doohan in goal, Stephen Welsh wearing the captain’s armband, and promising young striker Callum Osmand, who displayed notable pace during his 45 minutes on the pitch. The tactical shift brought renewed energy but also exposed some vulnerabilities in Celtic’s defense.
Cork City, buoyed by home support and mid-season match fitness, grew into the game and began to trouble the Celtic backline. Their persistence paid off in the 67th minute when 17-year-old Matthew Murray capitalized on a defensive mix-up between Doohan and Welsh. The young striker showed great composure, rounding the goalkeeper and slotting home an equalizer that ignited the crowd and raised hopes of a Cork upset.
Unfortunately for Celtic, the defensive woes continued as Welsh suffered a shoulder injury shortly after, forcing him off with his arm in a sling. This setback saw Colby Donovan, who had started at right-back but was substituted at halftime, reintroduced at center-back to bolster the defense. Despite the injury blow, Celtic’s resilience shone through in the closing stages.
With the match seemingly heading towards a penalty shootout, Donovan emerged as the unlikely hero. Four minutes from time, he powered home a bullet header from an inswinging corner kick at the back post, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory for the Scottish champions. His winning goal was a testament to his adaptability and determination, having come on as a second-half substitute to fill the gap left by Welsh’s injury.
The match was notable for the extensive squad rotation, with Brendan Rodgers utilizing 23 players across both halves, a clear indication of his intent to prepare his team thoroughly for the demanding season ahead. The first-half XI featured Vil Sinisalo in goal, with Donovan, Dane Murray, Auston Trusty, and Inamura forming the defensive line, while the midfield trio of Callum McGregor, Arne Engels, and McCowan orchestrated play. Up front, Ben Summers and James Forrest operated wide, supporting Irishman Johnny Kenny through the middle.
The second half saw Doohan replace Sinisalo in goal, with Frame, Robertson, Welsh (before injury), McPherson, McArdle, Ure, Turley, Hatton, Montgomery, and Osmand completing the lineup. The youthful energy and fresh legs provided a competitive edge, though the defensive lapses underscored the fitness and coordination challenges still facing the squad early in pre-season.
Beyond the pitch, the atmosphere was electric, with thousands of young fans flooding the field after the final whistle, eager to meet their heroes and snap selfies, a heartwarming scene that led to the cancellation of the trophy presentation for safety reasons. Brendan Rodgers and his players embraced the moment, engaging warmly with supporters and soaking in the unique experience.
Rodgers reflected on the night with measured optimism, highlighting the importance of these fixtures for building match fitness and assessing new signings. He also reminisced about his own Irish sporting roots, mentioning, "I played Gaelic and Hurling growing up but admit I wasn't a great hurler," while congratulating Cork on their upcoming All-Ireland hurling final appearance against Tipperary at Croke Park, a testament to the city’s rich sporting culture.
Looking ahead, Celtic are set to embark on a week-long training camp in Portugal, where they will face Estrela da Amadora and Sporting Lisbon before returning home for high-profile friendlies against Newcastle and Ajax in Como. Key players such as Kieran Tierney, Daizen Maeda, and new signing Benjamin Nygren are expected to feature prominently, alongside Cork-born striker Adam Idah, who was present in Cork but sat out this match as he regains fitness.
For Cork City, the game provided a valuable test against a superior opponent, allowing manager Gerard Nash to evaluate his squad’s capabilities and resilience. Despite being limited in quality compared to Celtic, Cork’s spirited performance, especially from young talents like Matthew Murray, offered encouraging signs ahead of their domestic campaign.
In sum, the Cork Super Cup served as an excellent pre-season spectacle blending competitive spirit, community engagement, and a celebration of sport in a city buzzing with anticipation for major hurling and football events. Celtic’s narrow victory, underscored by moments of brilliance and adversity, sets a promising tone as they prepare to defend their Scottish Premiership crown.
