Cuthbert the front-runner to replace Counihan

Former Cork minor football coach Brian Cuthbert has emerged from a crowded field as favourite for the vacant senior football manager post on Leeside.

With the departure of Conor Counihan following the Rebels’ defeat at the hands of Dublin in the All-Ireland SFC quarter-final, several names have been circulating in Cork as possible replacements.

Danny Culloty, John Cleary, Ronan McCarthy and Ephie Fitzgerald are among the coaches linked to the post but Cuthbert, who served as a selector under Counihan this year, is now regarded as front-runner.

The standout feature of the Bishopstown club man’s CV is his stewardship of the Cork minors back in 2010, when a series of dramatic comebacks saw the Rebel County youngsters reach the All-Ireland final only to lose out narrowly to Tyrone.

Cuthbert is currently managing the Bishopstown senior footballers, who have made the semi-finals of the county senior football championship.

With Cork contesting Sunday’s All-Ireland senior hurling final, replacing Conor Counihan has been put on the back burner but it will top the agenda when normal county board business resumes.

Kieran McGeeney, who was recently removed as Kildare football manager by board delegates within that county, is not expected to figure among potential replacements.