KIERAN KINGSTON HAS been speaking about his appointment as Cork senior hurling manager.
The Tracton clubman has taken over from Jimmy Barry-Murphy on Leeside after agreeing a two-year term with county board chiefs.
And speaking to the Cork Evening Echo this afternoon, Kingston stated his desire to get stuck into his new role as quickly as possible.
“Firstly, I am honoured to have been selected by the appointments committee,” he said.
“It’s a big task and there’s going to be a lot of work involved but it’s one I am looking forward to embracing.
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“I was privileged to have worked alongside Jimmy Barry-Murphy for a couple of years and I think I learned quite a bit from that experience.
Kieran Kingston enjoyed a close working relationship with Jimmy Barry-Murphy. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
“Taking over the management of any intercounty team is a great challenge and I am delighted to say that I have secured the services of Pat Hartnett from Midleton to work with me as a selector.
“Pat was a great Midleton and Cork hurler, he’s a fierce hurling man and he will bring a lot of expertise with him from his time with Midleton and various Cork teams.
“I am in discussion with a number of other individuals with regard to coming on board and putting the full backroom team in place and that will be completed in the next week or two.’’
Pat Hartnett (centre) during his Cork playing days. Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
On Thursday night, Cork’s 2016 Munster senior hurling championship opponents will be revealed and Kingston is eagerly anticipating the draw.
“Yes, we’ll know very soon who we’ll be playing next summer but whoever it is, it won’t be easy but we’ll look forward to that when the time comes,” he added.
“The work has already started for myself.
“I was at the two county finals last Sunday and there’s three more to come in the coming weeks with the under-21, junior and intermediate finals to be played.
“You’d be hoping that a number of players might put up their hand in those games and give us some food for thought.’’
Jimmy Barry-Murphy's tenure ended with defeat to Galway. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
And Kingston is confident that the Rebels can build on a disappointing 2015 campaign that saw them exit the All-Ireland series in tame fashion against Galway, having lost out to Waterford in the Munster SHC semi-final.
“The players have always given me wonderful support and we’ll be all in this together when the time comes,” he said.
“Over the coming weeks too I’ll be putting together a squad with the help of the selectors when they are finalised and we’ll start building towards the start of the NHL in February.
“That will be a tough campaign because I believe we’ll have three matches away and just two at home so we must be ready for that.’’
'I am honoured' - Cork's new senior hurling manager can't wait to get started
KIERAN KINGSTON HAS been speaking about his appointment as Cork senior hurling manager.
The Tracton clubman has taken over from Jimmy Barry-Murphy on Leeside after agreeing a two-year term with county board chiefs.
And speaking to the Cork Evening Echo this afternoon, Kingston stated his desire to get stuck into his new role as quickly as possible.
“Firstly, I am honoured to have been selected by the appointments committee,” he said.
“It’s a big task and there’s going to be a lot of work involved but it’s one I am looking forward to embracing.
“I was privileged to have worked alongside Jimmy Barry-Murphy for a couple of years and I think I learned quite a bit from that experience.
“Taking over the management of any intercounty team is a great challenge and I am delighted to say that I have secured the services of Pat Hartnett from Midleton to work with me as a selector.
“I am in discussion with a number of other individuals with regard to coming on board and putting the full backroom team in place and that will be completed in the next week or two.’’
On Thursday night, Cork’s 2016 Munster senior hurling championship opponents will be revealed and Kingston is eagerly anticipating the draw.
“Yes, we’ll know very soon who we’ll be playing next summer but whoever it is, it won’t be easy but we’ll look forward to that when the time comes,” he added.
“The work has already started for myself.
“You’d be hoping that a number of players might put up their hand in those games and give us some food for thought.’’
And Kingston is confident that the Rebels can build on a disappointing 2015 campaign that saw them exit the All-Ireland series in tame fashion against Galway, having lost out to Waterford in the Munster SHC semi-final.
“The players have always given me wonderful support and we’ll be all in this together when the time comes,” he said.
“That will be a tough campaign because I believe we’ll have three matches away and just two at home so we must be ready for that.’’
‘Mentally and physically, the team could do with a break for a while’ – Fennelly
Just a couple of Kilkenny hurlers firing a staple gun at illusionist Keith Barry
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GAA Hurling Jimmy Barry Murphy KIERAN Kingston Rebels Cork