The 2010 season had very much been a free go for City as survival and that oft-heard word sustainability were the key aims, but for 2011 promotion was going to be the yardstick by which success or failure would be measured. Tommy Dunne had built quite a good side with a settled look to it. Young midfielder Gearóid Morrissey and defender Gavin Kavanagh were two who had come in in 2010 and done well, Kalen Spillane had made the step-up from youth level and striker Graham Cummins had shown himself to have a real eye for goal, while Danny Murphy returned to the club again and the left flank was further bolstered with the addition of Derek O'Brien to give the team a very formidable look. In addition, the name 'Cork City Football Club' had been bought from the liquidator, ensuring a full resumption of normal service (the club's youths had continued to play under this banner, ensuring that the name never completely died).

While the previous season's away kit (above right) had been worn in pre-season friendlies, the change in name would mean an alteration to the crest (2010 and '11 versions shown side-by-side on right) and a new kit was brought out. A more pedestrian design than its predecessor, the new outfit featured white sleeves (top left), though the fact that it was straight from the catalogue meant that there was no control over the fact that black, rather than red, was the tertiary colour, while the Beamish logo continued to jar when applied to the white background rather than blending in. A slight variation to the kit was the fact that the 2010 socks were retained and it was common for both styles to be seen in the same game (left). A solid start to the season meant that City would stay in contention all of the way through the season, but despite playing the first series of games without suffering a defeat, a number of early-season draws left them having to play catch-up on Shelbourne, who had begun in excellent fashion while Monaghan United were also looking dangerous.

The lack of any other teams in green in the First Division meant that the away strip was worn in a lot of matches where clashes did not arise, the design simply the same as the home but with red the dominant colour (right). It was worn as the FAI Ford Cup campaign began with a win away to Midleton in early June, but league games in that month saw some ground lost as a trip to Monaghan resulted in just a 1-1 draw before Waterford inflicted a first league defeat, winning 3-2 at Turner's Cross, only the second time all season that City had conceded more than two goals (the other occasion was a 2-2 draw at home to Monaghan). July saw wins against Finn Harps, Salthill Devon and Longford, (as well as 1-0 loss to Birmingham City in a poorly-attended friendly), but ahead of the home clash with Shels on August 5, 10 points separated the teams, making a win imperative. When Dave Cassidy put the visitors ahead inside four minutes, any hopes of winning the league looked to be fading fast, but from there City played their opponents off the field, goals from Cummins, Davin O'Neill (two) and Daryl Horgan - who had been excellent since signing on loan from Sligo Rovers - reigniting the club's chances.

The momentum flowed after that, even if St Patrick's Athletic would knock City out of the FAI Cup at the quarter-final stage, and good results would also accrue in the EA Sports (League) Cup, a 3-1 semi-final win over Limerick setting up a final against Derry City. Though the game would be held at Turner's Cross, the Premier Division side won 1-0, City wearing commemorative patches on their shirts (left, with both versions of socks). It was only a brief blip in what would be a seven-game winning run to end the league campaign, though, a 7-0 victory away to Athlone Town and a 5-2 against Finn Harps indicative of the confidence in the side. A 3-1 defeat of Monaghan effectively made it a two-horse race for the title, but going into the final game - away to Shels - a win would be required to top the table, though a draw would be enough to secure automatic promotion. Second place was never the aim, and City took the game to their hosts, Horgan with an early goal, but Cassidy's equaliser settled Shels. As the game wore on and on, into the 94th minute, it looked as if the massive City faithful in Tolka Park would have to be happy with re-taking their place in the top tier, albeit without the trophy. Then this happened.