Exciting times ahead with blockbuster appointments

Diarmuid Sheehan A momentous week for Cork with the appointment of three managers

SO, where to begin? A frantic start to the week for Cork hurling fans as all the main gigs have been assigned at the same time. There are so many avenues that one could go down when looking at Cork’s latest managerial announcements, but it is probably best to start at the top and work down.

Kieran Kingston is back at the helm of Cork’s favourite sporting squad. After taking two years away from the high profile role, the Tracton man is back to reintroduce his own particular brand of hurling to the masses on Leeside.

Kingston’s reappointment after John Meyler’s tenure came to an end late in July came as no surprise to anyone, particularly after it became apparent that the man who held the position back in 2016 and 2017 was interested in again taking the reins.

Kingston has gone for a big name supporting cast with The Rock, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, again on his shoulder as selector. In a departure from his previous dream team Kingston has decided to bring in Ger Cunningham as coach which will be seen as a serious nod to the credentials of one of Cork’s most past famous players.

Cunningham, one of Cork’s most recognisable faces for many years when he donned the red and white between the Cork sticks, had been in the mix for the top job, but ultimately head office went for the tried and trusted and because of this Kingston will be the main man for the next three seasons.

Kingston’s re-appointment to the top job will be seen by many as a very positive move as the Carrigdhoun man’s first stint in charge was generally perceived to have been a success, but there would be another train of thought out there that this was a good opportunity to get a fresh face in – that said, Kingston’s re-emergence is being well received all over the county and he will be given some time to get reacquainted with a team that will have many of the same faces that he left behind just two years ago.

Kingston really was the people’s favourite for this one and after turning Cork’s fortunes around in 2017 few could deny him another shot at All Ireland glory and with a three-year term on his side immediate pressure to succeed shouldn’t be the biggest of factors.

One would expect the back-room team to gel well together with the likely introduction of Pat Mulcahy to the set-up in the coming days/ weeks sure to be seen as another major plus for a county looking to end what is fast becoming the longest drought in their extensive hurling history.

Away from the senior side there was no shortage of shocks in the lower appointments with the headline grabber obviously going to be Donal Óg Cusack’s elevation to minor hurling manager. Cusack has long been seen a very divisive character within Cork GAA but his love of the game and his ability to coach has not been in question – hence Davy Fitz’s decision to bring the Cloyne native in as coach for the Clare senior hurling panel of 2016.

Cusack is a hurling man and his knowledge of the game, from both inside and outside the whitewash, marks him out as a real positive candidate, but when the dust settles and Rebel fans get their heads around the decisions made I think it will be the backroom team around Cusack that will please most.

Former Cork greats Sean Óg Ó hAilpín and Tom Kenny will stand beside the East Cork man as he looks to bring the young guns back to a level not seen since the county last won the Minor All Ireland way back in 2001.

In the midst of all this positivity comes the news that Pat Ryan will take over as the main man for the county’s under 20s. Ryan (Sarsfields) has been one of the most respected coaches in the county for quite a long time and will be a very popular choice with many at this hugely significant grade. Cork have been doing well at Under 20 / 21 in recent years, but failed to make the winner’s podium on each of the last two showpiece games with Tipperary taking the spoils on both occasions.

Ryan will have the very steady hands of Donal O’Mahony (Bishopstown) to aid him in his endeavours with Brendan Coleman (Youghal), Imokilly boss Fergal Condon, and Blackrock’s Wayne Sherlock also there to help Cork take the step that just eluded previous manager Denis Ring.

All the appointments made have merit and all, one could argue, have earned the right to take them on but time is becoming a luxury that managers don’t seem to have these days and the Cork faithful will likely be looking for results sooner rather than later.

Speaking of time, one of the reported reasons why Jimmy Barry-Murphy didn’t get the minor job was that there wasn’t a two year stint on the table, which on the face of it seems to be a little surprising.

JBM’s involvement is nearly always seen as a positive for the blood and bandage and two years wouldn’t seem to be the biggest of stumbling blocks however as things turned out a deal couldn’t be struck and we won’t see JBM on the line in 2020.

Positive vibes a plenty and loads of pre-season time to get adjusted to life in the fishbowl that is GAA management in Cork – big year ahead for all concerned.