O’Connor early favourite to succeed Ryan
Brian Hayes Curtin
Will a former All-Ireland winning legend become the new Cork hurling manager?
After the shock announcement last weekend by Pat Ryan that he will not continue as Cork’s hurling manager, the early hot favourite to take over is All-Ireland U20 winning manager Ben O’Connor, who has already earned an impressive managerial CV.
The Newtownshandrum man has also led Charleville to a Cork Intermediate win in 2018, before managing Midleton to a Cork Premier Senior Hurling title in 2021. He led the Cork under 20 hurlers to All-Ireland success in 2023.
After three years in charge and two All-Ireland final appearances, it was a surprise when Pat Ryan released a statement on Saturday morning announcing that he was stepping down after being offered another term by Cork County Board on Friday.
“There has been plenty of highs and plenty of lows but the joy that Cork hurling brings to your life is amazing,” he wrote.
He was fulsome in his praise of the players: “The greatest gift as a manager is having a team of players dedicated to sacrificing themselves for the jersey and I had that in abundance.”
On Saturday evening, Cork GAA released a statement sincerely thanking Pat Ryan for “his outstanding contribution” as manager. They also praised his team’s style: “Pat’s tenure cannot be measured by trophies alone, as he brought a spirit and flair to the side’s play that captivated the masses across a rollercoaster three-year period. All of this was achieved while Pat faced significant personal challenges with his customary courage and dignity.”
Other names that have been linked to the role include Ryan’ fellow Sars’ man Johnny Crowley who has lead them to three RedFM league titles and an All-Ireland Club Championship Final last year.
The current Cork under 20 manager is Carrigtwohill’s Noel Furlong, who won an All-Ireland minor title with Cork in 2021. He was a coach under Kieran Kingston with the seniors in 2022. He coached UCC to Fitzgibbon success in 2020. With Castlelyons, he won a 2023 Cork Premier IHC and Munster title, reaching the All-Ireland final.
Donal Óg Cusack is perhaps the most high profile option, but he has been part of Furlong’s Cork U20 set-up. He has plenty of inter county management experience and is a shrewd pundit. His Cloyne clubman Diarmuid O’Sullivan has also been involved in intercounty teams.