Pat Ryan is ratified
The new Cork hurling manager will hope to bring Liam McCarthy back to Leeside for the first time since 2005.
Pat Ryan of Sarsfields was ratified as the new Cork Senior Hurling Manager on Tuesday night at the Cork GAA County Committee meeting for July in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
He has secured a three year term, with selectors to be named soon. Ryan is one of the most respected coaches in Cork and has worked within the Cork intercounty system for years. Back in 2017, he was one of the favourites to succeed then-manager Kieran Kingston.
As a player he won Munster and All Ireland Senior Hurling medals, as well as two county titles with Sarsfields, he also managed his club to county championship wins in 2012 and 2014.
He served as a senior selector in 2016 and coach in 2017 under Kieran Kingston before returning as Cork U20 hurling manager in 2020 and 2021. His teams won consecutive Munster and All Ireland titles.
Cork GAA Chairman, Marc Sheehan said: “We are thrilled to have someone of Pat’s calibre so ready to take up the significant mantle of Cork Senior Hurling Manager. Having seen his management and coaching skills with our teams previously, I have no doubt that the development of our players is in safe hands.”
The likes of Ben O’Connor, Donal Óg Cusack and former Clare, Waterford and Wexford manger and current Cork camogie coach Davy Fitzgerald had been linked with the job but the Cork County Board moved very quickly to appoint Ryan on Monday night.
On Sunday night Cork GAA revealed that they had been told by former Cork hurling manager Kieran Kingston that he would not be seeking a further term.
Cork GAA thanked Kingston for his “years of dedication across a whole range of positions, including the roles of player, selector, coach and of course, manager”.
Kingston took Cork to the 2021 All-Ireland final which Limerick won and he won the Munster title in 2017.
He was a selector and coach under Jimmy Barry-Murphy, as well as being senior manager in 2016 and 2017, before returning for three further years, from 2020 to 2022.
Chairman of Cork GAA Marc Sheehan said: “Kieran’s commitment to his duties as Cork senior hurling manager knew no bounds and the time devoted in a voluntary capacity was immeasurable. He carried the role in a dignified manner at all times, fully understanding of the importance of his position.”
Cork GAA CEO Kevin O’Donovan added: “Looking across the past decade, one has to recognise the indelible mark that Kieran has left on our senior hurling team, overseeing what has been a difficult transition at times, with the introduction of a whole wave of young and exciting talent. Indeed, there is no doubt that given the number of players who made their debuts under Kieran, he departs safe in the knowledge that he has left Cork hurling in a healthy state.”