In February 1953, Carter signed a short term playing contract with Cork Athletic. The terms were £50 per match plus expenses compared to the £14 maximum wage in England. He was able to live in Hull and fly to Ireland every weekend for matches. He scored twice on his debut on 8 February 1953 against Waterford and helped his new club to do the cup double winning the FAI Cup and Munster Senior Cup. Whilst with Cork Athletic, he was selected to play for the League of Ireland against the English Football League.