Allen ends his Cork reign

John Allen has decided to resign as Cork's senior hurling manager, just over two weeks after the Rebels' All-Ireland SHC final defeat to Kilkenny.

Following consultation with his family, Allen will not be allowing his name to go forward for re-appointment.

A highly likeable figure, the St. Finbarr's clubman landed the Cork job in October 2004, succeeding Donal O'Grady.

Allen was involved in the two previous managerial set-ups - he was initially brought in by Jimmy Barry-Murphy as a masseur and then acted as a selector for two years under O'Grady.

His reign saw an All-Ireland title (2005) and two Munster championships (2005, 2006) celebrated on Leeside.

Allen won an All-Ireland three-in-a-row as a player in the 1970s, but Cork's class of 2006 failed to follow in their manager's footsteps when losing to Kilkenny in this year's Liam McCarthy Cup decider.

That was Allen's only defeat in the championship as Cork manager - since losing the 2004 Munster final, the Rebels had gone on a 13-match unbeaten run.

With continuity in their managerial set-ups seemingly high on the Cork County Board's agenda, Allen's club-mate Ger Cunningham, who has been a selector with Cork for the past two years, may well be promoted into the role.

Cunningham retired in 1999 after a glittering career as Cork goalkeeper, which saw him play in 50 championship and 111 league games.

His haul of playing honours included three All-Ireland medals, three National League triumphs, four Railway Cup successes, four All-Star awards and six county titles with Barr's.

Tomás Mulcahy, who captained Cork to All-Ireland glory in 1990 and who currently manages the Glen club, could also be in the running to replace Allen.