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.