Cork managers receive Board backing

Last night's meeting of the Cork County Board saw John Allen and Billy Morgan re-appointed as the Rebels' senior hurling and football managers for the coming season.

Allen, who guided Cork to their second successive All-Ireland SHC title in September, will have selectors Joe O'Leary, Ger Cunningham, Fred Sheehy and Patsy Morrissey on board again for 2006.

St Finbarr's clubman Allen took the Rebel reins from Donal O'Grady in October of last year.

Football boss Morgan, who has been given a new two-year deal, will be assisted by two of last year's selectors, John Corcoran and Teddy Owens, who trained the Cork hurlers in their 1999 All-Ireland winning season, as well as newcomer Ger O'Sullivan (Dromtarriffe).

Morgan's side crashed out of the '05 championship in a semi-final defeat by Kerry - Cork's footballers have not laid claim to the Sam Maguire trophy since 1990, when Nemo great Morgan was in his second spell in charge.

Prior to his current term, the former county goalkeeper managed Cork's senior footballers from 1979-80, 1987-96 and 2003-05.