I think the outlook for Cork has changed, in terms of decline due to to the economic conditions, but also much improved transport links to Dublin Airport.
I think the future of Cork will be focussed on three main markets
1) UK - mainly provided by Aer Lingus Regional.
2) Key European Hubs - LHR/CDG/AMS
3) Popular Sun Destinations - I expect some of these will vary over time, but the staples of Spain and Portugal will dominate.
I think the main priority for Cork Airport should be to limit 'leakage' to DUB and SNN on the key routes. Obviously the airport does not set fares, but marketing and social media might be ways to let the catchment know the routes and frequencies on offer. Routes like BRU, GVA and BVA seem to have stagnated at very low frequency, Rome has been gone for a while, which is a shame.
Im not sure chasing a North American route is the best use of resources, although it would be prestigious and a coup for the airport, links to FRA/ZRH might be more useful.