SO, now we know what Cork’s Division 2 football schedule looks like, and we also know how important it is that the Rebels get points on the board in the opening rounds.

With away games against Derry and Tyrone at the latter end of the campaign, if John Cleary’s men have realistic ambitions of a sustained promotion push, then a fast start is key.

This will be Cork’s TENTH successive league campaign outside of Division 1 following the relegation in 2016, and the need to return to the top tier is more important than ever if the Rebels are to close the gap on the leading pack.

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MATCH 1: home v Cavan, Sunday, at 1.30pm in Páirc Uí Chaoimh

If Cork have aspirations of getting promoted to Division 1, the league opener is a must-win game. The obvious reason is because it’s at home. Another is because Cork have only won two opening day league games since 2017, against Offaly in Division 3 (2020) and Meath this past season (2025). The Rebels beat Cavan in Kingspan Breffni in the 2025 league but did lose to them in the Páirc in 2024, so the Rebels have been forewarned. The Ulster county has new management this year in Dermot McCabe and have major departures including Padraig Faulkner, James Smith and Conor Madden.

MATCH 2: away v Louth, Sunday, February 1st, at 1.30pm in DEFY Pairc Mhuire, Ardee

This isn’t a happy hunting ground for Cork. In their last two trips to Ardee, Cork have lost to Louth so it’s home advantage for the current Leinster champions. And yes, incredible as it may seem, the Wee County head into the 2026 season as provincial champions after their first title success in 68 years. They did finish sixth in Division 2 in the last two seasons though. Louth have new management, too, after Ger Brennan went back to Dublin as Gavin Devlin takes the reins.

MATCH 3: away v Offaly, Sunday, February 15th, at 2pm in Glenisk O’Connor Park

This is another game that John Cleary’s side must target to get a win, and two precious league points. Offaly are making great strides after Mickey Harte came in as joint-manager with Declan Kelly, and achieved promotion from Division 3 last year. They competed well in league and championship in 2025, losing the Tailteann Cup quarter-final against eventual champions Kildare by a point. Offaly have great young talent in Jack Bryant, Cormac Egan and Keith O’Neill, but if Cork are to be considered promotion contenders, this is once again a must-win.

MATCH 4: home v Meath, Sunday, February 22nd, at 2pm in Páirc Uí Rinn

It may be a home game, but this is a tough task for Cork. Meath are All-Ireland semi-finalists from this past season having beaten counties like Galway, Dublin and, most impressively of all, Kerry in the 2025 championship. Robbie Brennan is in his second year at the helm with the Royals and many key players have stuck around too. Having said all that though, Cork did beat Meath in the league in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in 2025 so there is no reason why the trick can’t be repeated again.

MATCH 5: away v Derry, Sunday, March 1st, at 1pm in Celtic Park

Derry won none of their games across league and championship in 2025, but don’t let that stat fool you. In every game, they were playing against Division 1 opposition. Ciaran Meenagh takes charge after the departure of Paddy Tally, and Meenagh was already in the hot-seat in 2023 when his Derry side knocked Cork out in the All-Ireland quarter-finals. Cork’s last two trips to the Oak Leaf county have ended with a win in 2017 and a loss in 2022 so this could go either way.

MATCH 6: home v Kildare, Saturday, March 14th, at 5pm in Páirc Uí Chaoimh

Tailteann Cup champions in 2025, Kildare are on the way back under Brian Flanagan and have a lot of exciting young talent from their U20 All-Ireland winning team in 2023. They were also a score away from beating Louth in the Leinster semi-final this past season, emphasising their quality. Cork have beaten Kildare in their last two league meetings in 2023 and 2024 so that will provide some confidence. Like the first three games though, Cork will eye this up as a win too, especially at home.

MATCH 7: away v Tyrone, Sunday, March 22nd, at 1.15pm in O’Neills Healy Park

The toughest task of all is on the final day of the league campaign for John Cleary’s team. Tyrone were All-Ireland semi-finalists last year and won All-Ireland titles at both U20 and minor grades in 2025. The county is on a high with Malachy O’Rourke building a solid outfit.

The added fact that the game is in Omagh makes it more difficult for the Rebels. Having said that, this would be the second of four game in five weeks for the Ulster county, with a league final (if they make it) and an Ulster championship tie with Armagh on the horizon. Maybe, if they are home and hosed, Tyrone could rest some players with those two games in mind. That could play to Cork’s advantage.