They were initially the football team of the Ford Motor Company, a major employer in the city at the time.

In 1921 Harry Buckle, a former Ireland international, settled in Cork and began working for the Ford Motor Company.

[2] On 23 February 1924 Bill O'Hagan became the first Fordsons to win representative honours when he played for an FAI XI in 3–0 defeat against Celtic.

Played against the background of the Irish Civil War, travelling up to Dublin for the semi-final against Alton United proved hazardous.

After receiving another bye in the first round, Fordsons knocked out Jacobs and St James's Gate before they lost to 1–0 to Athlone Town in the final.

The final was best remembered for Rovers' Bob Fullam withdrawing from a potential dangerous challenge with Bill O'Hagan.

[7][8] Sponsored by the Ford Motor Company, unlike later Cork teams in the League of Ireland, Fordsons did not have any financial difficulties.

Despite this, at the end of the 1929–30 season, Fordsons were informed by the Ford management that they could continue only as a factory team and only compete in local leagues.

's form slump dramatically when they suffered the ignominy of having to apply for re-election after finishing in last position with only 10 points from 18 games.

when it was revealed that two members of the Cup final team – Owen Madden and Jack O'Reilly – had agreed to sign for Norwich City.

When Cork F.C., who received no fee, protested over the moves, both Madden and O'Reilly were suspended by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) for three years.

The final straw came when a demoralised team, paying their own train fares, were defeated 3–0 by St James's Gate in a 1937–38 FAI Cup game.

[17][18] On 21 March 1926 Frank Brady and James Connelly became the first two Fordsons players to represent Ireland (FAI) when they featured in an away game against Italy.

[19] On 12 February 1928 when Ireland beat Belgium 4–2 in an away game, the team featured three Fordsons players – Paddy Barry, Charlie Dowdall, and Jack Sullivan.

On 25 February 1934 in a World Cup qualifier against Belgium the Ireland team featured three Cork players – Jim Foley, Tom Burke and Tim O'Keefe.