Former Cork trio set to join JBM’s backroom team

THE new Cork senior hurling management team is set to comprise four selectors alongside manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy.

The names of Johnny Crowley, Ger Cunningham and Seánie McGrath have already been strongly linked with selection roles, but there could yet be another to join them.

Both Crowley and Cunningham played alongside Barry-Murphy for Cork, with all three part of the 1986 All-Ireland-winning team set to be introduced to the crowd at Croke Park between Sunday’s minor and senior finals.

Crowley was also a part of the selection committee during Barry-Murphy’s previous spell in charge while Cunningham was involved during the tenures of former St Finbarr’s and Cork team-mates Donal O’Grady and John Allen.

McGrath, who played under Barry-Murphy for Cork, has a minor selector for the past two years.

Among those linked as possible candidates to join Crowley, Cunningham and McGrath are Jim Cashman, whose brother Tom was a selector with Barry-Murphy before going on to succeed him, and Kieran Kingston, who coached the Tracton side that finished runners-up in last year’s county premier IHC final.

The motion to ratify Barry-Murphy and his selectors will be put before delegates at the next Cork County Board meeting next Tuesday night. Under the terms of the appointment of the new manager, Barry-Murphy must inform the board executive of those he intends to appoint as selectors, so that the executive can approve them.

It is believed that this has taken place and the names of the selectors are likely to be officially revealed before the end of this week.

Meanwhile, the appointments’ committee charged with finding a new Cork minor hurling manager has proposed that Newcestown’s Pat Kenneally be appointed, with ratification also set to take place next Tuesday.