CORK MUST FIND a new senior hurling manager for 2018 after Kieran Kingston has opted not to take a new two-year term.
Kingston has been in charge for the past two seasons but despite being offered a new term by Cork county board chiefs, he informed chairman Ger Lane today of his decision not to stay in the role.
The Tracton native guided Cork to Munster senior hurling glory this summer with a final win over Clare before they exited the All-Ireland championship at the semi-final stage against Waterford in August.
A former All-Ireland senior medal winner as a player, Kingston has been involved with the Cork hurlers for five of the last six years.
In 2012 and 2013 he served as a selector with Jimmy Barry-Murphy, taking on the role of coach in 2014. He opted out in 2015 before replacing Barry-Murphy as manager for the last two years.
“It’s a huge disappointment to see Kieran leave this position after such huge progress during the two years of his management,” remarked Cork chairman Ger Lane.
“The performances of the team throughout the league and championship were a direct result of Kieran’s input and he has left Cork hurling in a very good place.
“Our board had an outstanding relationship with Kieran and his backroom team and we are very sorry to see his departure. Many new players got the opportunity to develop under his management and proved their worth in championship 2017 only going down to Waterford in the All-Ireland semi-final.
“Kieran has laid a very solid foundation and left the team in a very good position and on behalf of all in Cork GAA, I wish to sincerely thank him for his wonderful contribution to Cork hurling.
“I would hope Kieran will stay involved in some capacity with Cork but I fully understand the demands on an inter-county manager and I wish him the very best for the future.”
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That’s disappointing for Cork. He seemed like a great manager and a nice man too. It was great to see more Michael Donohue , Derek Mc Grath and Kingston in the championship this season and less Misery hole Cody.
@Finnster: bitter enough
@Aidan Holden: we don’t give a shiiite. Liam is in the west for now , and we are looking forward to giving ye a good rattle next year. Kilkenny set the standards and will be back again.
@Finnster: doubt that not while cody still in charge no underage success
@Finnster: if you call Cody”misery hole”, I can only imagine what you’d call Jim Gavin :-)
@Finnster: couldn’t agree more Finnster. It was nice to see a few different faces. Pity my own county Offaly can’t get back to the good days we once had, in both hurling and football..
@Declan Moran: be great to see offaly on the up again. Keep the faith, Wexford turned things around after a bleak few years.
@Kieran:Gavin pretty miserable alright, be great to see a bit of emotion . Gavin and Cody need to loosen up.
@Aidan Holden: Finnster posts the same thing on all KK related articles. It’s his life’s work to try tarnish the legacy of the greatest manager of all time
Btw thanks for everything Kieran and co for restoring pride in our team and giving us hope for the future. A very brave move to give so many young lads thier chance this year.
Surprising enough brought an optimism back to cork hurling wonder who will get the job now
@800yearsofoppresion: My guess would be Pat Ryan or a longshot would be Denis Ring. Hard to predict really though, on thing is for sure it will be someone from within the County, Big Frank doesn’t like outsiders.
@Johnny: It’s well past time ‘Big ‘ Frank retired himself
@800yearsofoppresion: Ger Cunningham
@800yearsofoppresion: the rock?
Id give the rock a chance and get Pat Mulcahy involved if possible.
@damien o brien: agree with the rock and maybe bring in donal og.
@The don: Donal og?? Is that a fecking joke or what
@madman2009: it’s alright ye can keep him
@The don: Have you taken a knock to the head or wha’. Going from Kinston to Donal Og is taking about 84 steps backwards. Did you not see Clare, a load of nonsensical warm up drills and couldn’t hit a barn between em. I felt so sorry for Shane O Donnell.
@Kieran: having the rock there means continuity from last year. Cusack is a fellow clubman of dos, they get on well, trust each other and cusack has a couple of years experience under his belt. They both are big on player welfare and both are passionate about cork hurling. Whats not to like?
@Eamonn coughlan: Why?
@The don: recipe for a strike right there.
@The don: I’d say frank would love to give cusack the job alright
@Brian Whelan: true that, cork definitely missed out on a couple of all irelands due to the strikes. What better way to bury the hatchet and start looking forward instead of back. Things are looking up on the field, if upstairs can get it right there is a bright future.
Thanks Kieran. Brought the fans back in touch with it all this year and delivered some great days out. You’ve set up a great young bunch and now it’s times for someone else to run with them.
All the best.
Disappointing news as Kieran had helped to restore pride in Cork hurling. Thanks Kieran.
Who next for the job. If we want continuation then it has to be Pat Ryan. He done a tremendous job as coach last year. Does he want the job though as it’s a huge commitment for another two years
Gutted! Great year, can walk away with his head high!
Came to Walsh Park to play Waterford in the league under pressure to get a win, got it and didn’t look back winning a well deserved Munster Championship. Can consider themselves unlucky not to beat Waterford in an All Ireland semi final where Cork can point to a red card that had a big impact on the game.
Not sure what the Cork Hurling faithful want but Kingston was getting the best out of his panel of players this year and nothing short of an All Ireland victory will be failure for his replacement #poisonchalice
@Padraig Nolan: unlucky only beaten by 11 points
Thanks Kieran. Brought the fans back in touch with it all this year and delivered some great days out. You’ve set up a great young bunch and now it’s times for someone else to run with them.
All the best.
@James: you can say that again.
Ye would love to have Cody down there
@Sean Doheny: yes indeed, we need someone to keep an eye on nashs bag of sliothars.
@Sean Doheny: Why would we want Cody down here?
FFS. Not good news. Why have Pat and Kieran walked ?
Anthony Daly would be a good shout in my opinion but will more than likely be somebody from inside the county
Big,big loss
Very sad that Kieran has departed. Huge rumours in Cork that money is the reason for this unexpected departure.
He must have felt he can’t take the team any further and they needed a fresh voice, it can’t be easy having his son involved too but I think John Meyler would be a good man for it, his addition to the backroom team over the last year has added some much needed steel to this current crop of Cork players and with a few coming through from the minor team they won’t be too bad at all
@Sonny Bill: couple of full stops in that rant and you be sorted boiy……
Once its a Corkman who takes over
@Barry Kelleher: OGrady the only cork manager capable of getting them there. I doubt he is interested
Nothing would surprise me but focus on the positive give it to John Considine he’s the up and coming coach