Allen new Cork boss, O’Leary bows out

JOHN ALLEN was officially appointed manager of the Cork senior hurling team in succession to Donal O’Grady at last night’s meeting of the county board.

But it was also announced that Seánie O’Leary will not be a member of the All-Ireland champions’ selection committee for the coming year.

Since O’Grady announced he was relinquishing the post of manager after two years at the helm, Allen emerged as odds-on favourite to take over the reins. The former dual star, who won All-Ireland club medals with St Finbarr’s, was a member of the Cork three-in-a-row squad in the 1970s and played at full-forward when the Rebels lost to Dublin in the 1983 All-Ireland football semi-final replay at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

A superb stylist and model sportsman, Allen enjoyed a spectacular playing career. He acted as team masseur when Jimmy Barry-Murphy led Cork to All-Ireland victory in 1999 and filled one of the selectorial positions when another Barrs man, O’Grady, was appointed manager two years ago, following the players’ dispute.

After the board members, without a dissenting voice, unanimously approved the recommendation of the executive committee ratifying Allen’s appointment, the board chairman wished the new manager well.

County secretary Frank Murphy announced that Seánie O’Leary was stepping down as a selector.

No reason for this move was revealed at the meeting.