THE FUTURE OF Brian Cuthbert as Cork senior football manager is unclear in the wake of last night’s shock All-Ireland qualifier exit against Kildare.

Cork entered the Semple Stadium clash as strong favourites but were ripped apart by a superior Kildare side as they struggled to replicate the form that nearly claimed a Munster title three weeks ago.

After the game a dejected Cuthbert and members of his management team elected not to talk to the written media or conduct TV interviews.

Bishopstown club man Cuthbert was appointed to the position in October 2013 but his two-year term concluded after last night’s loss brought an end to Cork’s 2015 campaign.

Cuthbert had succeeded Conor Counihan with ex-U21 boss John Cleary the other main contender for the position at the time.

Last night’s defeat saw Cork’s footballers fail to reach the All-Ireland quarter-final stage for the first time since 2004 when they went down to Fermanagh in the qualifier in Croke Park.

Brian Cuthbert Cork managerial championship record

• Played – 8, Won – 3, Drew – 1, Lost – 4
• Cork 0-16 Tipperary 1-11 – 2014 Munster semi-final
• Cork 0-12 Kerry 0-24 – 2014 Munster final
• Cork 0-21 Sligo 1-11 – 2014 All-Ireland qualifier
• Cork 2-15 Mayo 1-19 – 2014 All-Ireland quarter-final
• Cork 1-20 Clare 1-8 – 2015 Munster semi-final
• Cork 3-12 Clare 2-15 – 2015 Munster final
• Cork 1-6 Kerry 1-11 – 2015 Munster final replay
• Cork 1-13 Kildare 1-21 – 2015 All-Ireland qualifier

Cork’s Alan O’Connor suffers suspected cruciate injury during Kildare clash

We now know the pairings for the first two All-Ireland football quarter-finals