Ethiad and Cork
Not sure if Ethiad has Cork as its first alternate. On the day in question when Dublin was snowbound the A330 diverted to Shannon. I agree that Cork has not been a diversion friendly airport in the past.
The various agencies generally trotted out lame excuses about lack of staff, lack of surface transport etc etc.
In fairness to Shannon they generally pride themselves at being able to handle medical diversions, weather diversions and technical diversions at short notice.
On the wider issue Cork is a long way off flights to the Gulf. Better roads have merely increased the pulling power of Dublin to all but County Cork and South Kerry.
From what I hear they'd want to watch their existing portfolio of routes very carefully.