Back on board
The six-man appointments committee, established by the Cork County Board last week, will present Barry-Murphy for ratification to club delegates at the next board meeting on Tuesday, September 6.
The new manager will be handed a three-year term and it is expected he will immediately begin the process of assembling a backroom team.
Cork chiefs are hopeful they will be able to inform delegates of Barry-Murphy’s entire management team at the next board meeting. After chairman Jerry O’Sullivan and vice-chairman Bob Ryan informed outgoing boss Denis Walsh on Monday night he would not be re-appointed, the committee met on Tuesday and unanimously agreed to pursue Barry-Murphy.
They had been aware of his interest in the job for some time and, after secretary Frank Murphy spoke with Barry-Murphy on Wednesday, it was agreed he would be the committee’s recommendation.
The decision to appoint “a fierce competitor” is a favourable one in McGrath’s eyes and he believes the younger players in the Cork panel will be excited working with a legend in hurling circles in the county.
“I think the minute that players heard that Jimmy was recommended, they’ll have been greatly enthused at playing under him.
“They had total respect for Denis [Walsh], but a lot of these guys would have grown up watching the last Cork team that Jimmy trained and they know all about his record and ability,” he added.
“As well as being a terrific fella for players to deal with, Jimmy’s a fierce competitor. He has that bit of steel that I think persuaded him to take this job.
“The absence from the game won’t be a problem for him. You’d always see Jimmy at club and intercounty games, he hasn’t lost touch with the scene.
“When he took over in 1996, Clare were the benchmark with their physicality but he proved how he could adapt by bringing in Ted Owens.
“He had a huge influence in getting us up to the mark when we won it in 1999.”
O’Sullivan revealed the committee were keen to fast-track Barry-Murphy’s appointment to end the speculation surrounding the position and allow him to be in place for the concluding stages of this year’s local club championships.
“We wanted to complete the process as quickly as possible, given all the speculation that was flying around. We have been aware for some time that he had an interest in the job. But Jimmy did not want to confirm this until the situation with Denis had been sorted out. We wanted to be fair and act in everyone’s best interests.
“When the appointments committee met on Tuesday and it was agreed then that we should make contact with Jimmy straight away as he was the ideal candidate for the job. Frank and Jimmy made contact on Wednesday and he agreed to allow himself to be put forward for recommendation.”
O’Sullivan praised Barry-Murphy’s credentials and does not see any objections amongst delegates to his appointment.
“He has a brilliant track record and is an outstanding individual. He has a great way with people, has a great personality and is very good at communicating. I think he’ll be a unifying force.
“Jimmy has been attending games around the county and country, and would be very up to date with coaching.
“This all has to be ratified by the county board but I wouldn’t anticipate any problems in that regard.”
Meanwhile, outgoing Cork U21 boss Ger Fitzgerald should be re-appointed to that position for another two-year term.
Fitzgerald’s tenure came to an end after Cork suffered defeat after extra-time to Limerick in a thrilling Munster U21HC final earlier this month.
But it is believed he may now be offered another spell in charge by county board officials.
IN the 11 years since Jimmy Barry-Murphy was Cork senior hurling manager he has had two club manager jobs.
In late 2003, he was appointed manager of his club St Finbarr’s and held onto those reins for three years. In 2004 St Finbarr’s exited the Cork SHC at the quarter-final stage against Cloyne, in 2005 they were defeated at the semi-final stage by Newtownshandrum and in 2006 their campaign ended in the third round against Bride Rovers.
Barry-Murphy bowed out after that defeat but returned to management for the 2009 season with Mid-Cork junior side Cloughduv. His grandfather and grand-uncle (of the same name) had both played for the club and those family connections tempted him to accept the position.
Barry-Murphy steered Cloughduv to two successive Mid-Cork JAHC titles but their county aspirations were dashed in the final by Fermoy in 2009 and Meelin, who went on to win the All-Ireland title, in 2010.
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