JBM will ask Cork’s senior men to stick around

CORK selector Ger Cunningham revealed new manager Jimmy Barry Murphy plans to hold talks over the next few weeks with the county’s longest-serving hurlers in an effort to get them to commit to the cause for the 2012 campaign.

There has been speculation that some members of Cork’s experienced hurling brigade may opt to follow recently departed defender Ronan Curran into retirement, but Cunningham is hopeful the new management team will have a full group of players to pick from. And the St Finbarr’s man admits it is a disappointment footballer Aidan Walsh has ruled out fulfilling a dual mandate next season.

Cunningham said: “Jimmy will be talking to those older guys to see what’s in their thoughts as to what their future is but we would be hopeful everyone would make themselves available and commit to it. We were only ratified on Tuesday night and we’re still only getting started.

“It is disappointing news, the fact that Aidan’s not making himself available, but we’ll see what happens. He’s a fabulous hurler, big and strong. Everybody saw his performance in the U21 match against Limerick, it was top class.”

Cunningham also outlined that Barry Murphy is still in the process of finding a physical trainer and admits he is relishing tackling his new role.

“Any time you get involved with Cork, it’s a great honour to be involved,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s certainly good if you’re making an appointment that you make it early. Once you know you’re going to be involved you take in the local matches at club level in a different light. With the two senior semi-finals next Sunday, you’re watching the game and trying to have a look around to see what’s out there.”

The new Cork management team assume their positions after a few seasons where the county has slipped down in the national rankings but Barry Murphy’s appointment has increased optimism and Cunningham believes supporters must be pragmatic about the county’s current status.

“There’s no doubt a guy like Jimmy coming in does raise the expectation levels,” he said. “But I think people have to be realistic as well. We are where we are and there’s no point in hiding from that either.

“I think part of the reason for getting a three-year term is that people realise we have to build for the future as well. We need to try to get back up the ladder again. We haven’t had success at national level in U21 or minor for a good number of years but that’s not to say there’s not talent there. Cork have a proud tradition and we’re a proud hurling county.”

Since Cunningham was last involved at the coal face of inter-county action as a member of John Allen’s Cork backroom team in 2006, hurling has evolved to a substantial degree.

Cunningham said: “The bar is rising all the time. You look at last Sunday and see where you have to get to. It’ll be interesting once we get back working with the guys to see how much we have to do with the physicality, the hurling and the power.”

In the interim, Cunningham has assumed roles with the UCC Fresher hurling teams and the Ballygunner senior side in Waterford. He believes the former third-level involvement will be especially beneficial, with up-and-coming talents such as William Egan and Luke O’Farrell coming under his wing.

“To know the young fellas from the university scene in Cork and elsewhere, you’d hope it would be a help. Some guys are still there obviously from the 2003-2006 period while some guys have moved on but I’d know most of the guys. The evolution of players is happening.

Denis [Walsh] did blood quite a number of players over the past two years and they’re that bit more experienced so that definitely is a positive.”