TWO YEARS AFTER departing from the position, Kieran Kingston is set to return take charge of the Cork senior hurlers while Donal Óg Cusack has been proposed as the county’s new minor hurling boss.
Kingston has been confirmed as Cork’s new manager as he replaces John Meyler who departed in July. The Cork county board this evening revealed that Kingston has been recommended for a three-year term, along with coach Ger Cunningham and Diarmuid O’Sullivan. A full backroom team will be announced at a later date.
The identity of the county’s new underage managers will also be of major interest. Sarsfields Pat Ryan will take the helm of the U20 side for a two-year term joined by Donal O’Mahony (Bishopstown), Brendan Coleman (Youghal), Fergal Condon (Aghada) and Wayne Sherlock (Blackrock).
The new minor management team is filled with illustrious Cork hurling names with Donal Óg Cusack recommended as minor manager on a one-year basis for 2020. He will be joined by Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and Tom Kenny with further selectors to be appointed, one of whom will provide a link to the current under-age playing base.
All the above appointments are subject to ratification by the county board at a meeting on Tuesday night.
“The goal was to put in place a structure that would ensure the best possible management teams for each grade of Cork hurling, both now and into the future, and also to provide a pathway for the development of younger coaches and those with less inter-county experience.”
Kingston left his senior role back in September 2017 despite being offered a new term by Cork county board chiefs. He had been in charge for the 2016 and 2017 campaigns.
A former Liam MacCarthy Cup senior winner as a player, Kingston guided Cork to Munster senior hurling glory two seasons ago with a final win over Clare before they lost out to Waterford at the All-Ireland semi-final stage.
His opening campaign in charge had been a disappointment with Cork losing out to Tipperary in Munster and to Wexford in the All-Ireland qualifiers. Prior to becoming manager, Kingston had served as selector for Cork alongside Jimmy Barry-Murphy in 2012 and 2013, before taking up the role of coach in 2014.
Cork endured an underwhelming 2019 championship campaign as they lost out to Kilkenny in an All-Ireland quarter-final tie after previously finishing third in the Munster round-robin series.
Old voice, old ideas, not sure if this is a step in the right direction for cork.
@Alan Brazil: I hope I’m wrong but the blind
Faith in old ideas old style set ups sounds like 20 steps backwards- a sop to the new ideas in Cusack- however his selectors will indicate if uncle Franks hands are all over this – if the same failed players are on the panel the only direction is the Christy Ring competition
@Alan Brazil: Agreed, not so bad so….
@Gerry Campbell: he did a good job bringing them forward as serious contenders. Work commitments cut that short but now there is some talent coming through and good talent already there. It’s attitude and conditioning that’s needed, never any doubt about their skill set.
@Alan Brazil: think it’s a great step. Excellence, passion and experience…and a great love of the game.
Got a lot right with the minor and u20 appointments senior set up is like something from the stone age… giving kingston another 3yrs is hard to accept after he being involved for 5yrs in the senior set up already and no all ireland delivered… disappointed no pat mulcahy ben o connor or jamie wall in the set ups can’t have em all i suppose
@Tomas Lyons: no Pat Mulcahy or Ben sure there from North Cork no hurling there….only hurling happening in east cork and the city looking at all the appointments….
@Pat Roche: a jesus swings and roundabouts like. Could have had that complaint many a year
Donal Og to get his chance now to right the wrongs he’s forever spoofing about. Bring Derek McGrath on board and the kids wouldn’t get to leave the dressing room for spoof.
Unfortunately no jamie wall or Kevin murray
After trying to digest this news the U20 and minor set ups are a positive step forward.
The senior set is a clear indication nothing has been learned over the past 10 years of failure- lets be fair Kingston and co walked away and are now being called back
I simply don’t get it no recognition of the disastrous failure over the past 10 years and we return for old styled faithful county board men guaranteed they will pick the same players who have gone missing in big games over past 6 years and let it to Pat Horgan. Dare u be a critic of these soft rear view hurlers
I give up this will end in tears
@TM B: Never give up, he may not be the popular choice but I would still wish them well for next year. Rebels Abu.
@The don: Absolutely I wish them well and hope they hit the road running
@TM B: but who should go in there? It doesn’t even matter. They have had the players for the last few years to bring Liam home but they keep bottling it. Forget about the manager it’s the team leaving us all down and themselves. It’s well documented. There are 21 year olds living in Cork who never remember with their naked eye Cork winning an All Ireland. It’s a travesty! But they continue to be out fought on the pitch at vital moments. Blood and bandage “out fought” it’s depressing
Far too much negativity in comments. Very happy myself with these appointments, not just because of the decisions themselves but what they say about the new county board. There’s a bit of risk taking and looking to the future with the underage set up. As for senior, Kingston left things in good shape after his last stint and it was a pity he had to go. Adding Cunningham as coach is a good move too.
Serial failure
Not too sure about this…. really thought we’d get a new face with new ideas..
We await and see..
@IrishOwl: like who? We used to have a conveyor belt of managers but the last All Ireland winning side are all behind the 8 ball from the strike.
Cork stuck in reverse !!!
@David O’Neill: sounds like a car crash
I would love if Davy Fitz would be considered for the Cork job
@M: I for one could not stomach a manager from another county. I mean jesus that would be the end for me
@M: As a Limerick man I cant believe that Cork would even contemplate an outside manager.
Davy Fitz despite all his passion would not be a good fit for Cork by any standards.
Kingston ok appointment,its his back up people Id be concerned about if I was a Cork supporter !!
@M: Out
Big mistake at minor. Jamie Wall did a serious job with the Cork 16s this year should not have been overlooked.
Should have kept Jamie Wall with the minors
@Tom Gavin: alright Tom (or maybe it’s Jamie!)…. we heard you the first time!
Jamie Wall done a serious job with the 16s this year. Mistake by Cork to let him go!
Thank god
This story appeared as an urgent notification on my phone. Who decided that?
@Aiden Burke: what do you mean Aiden? The people of the country would need to know anything related to Cork hurling urgently I would have assumed!