I think there is potential, but until such time as Cork has to pay its own way/meet targets most of it will not be realised.
I agree that road links to Dublin and Shannon can hurt Cork, but road do work in two directions. Incentives in terms of airport car parking "drive & fly deals" etc could all help to pull punters down the M8. Of course ORK competes with DUB, but airports like Leeds continue to add airlines and routes despite the economic climate, UK APD, stiff competition from MAN, LPL, EMA to a lesser extent NCL, Teeside, even BHX and STN/LGW/LHR, depending on the journey, the poor (and they really are poor) road/rail connections to LBA and the tired terminal building. Compared to LBA, ORK has so much going for it in terms of infrastructure, great road links and direct links to the Train and Bus stations, it is also in the heart of an area with many tourist attractions, but most seem to come in from Dublin.