Walsh looking forward to managing Rebels hurlers

Denis Walsh was officially unveiled as the new Cork senior hurling manager this afternoon at a media briefing at the Rochestown Park Hotel.

Walsh revealed three of his selectors with former Rebels team-mate Pat Buckley, Ballinascarthy's Gerry Ryan and Pa Finn from St Finbarr's making up the management team.

Meanwhile, it is as yet unclear if a fourth selector will be added to the backroom staff.

The Rebels face Kilkenny this weekend in the National Hurling League and Walsh believes that the players will give a positive response to his appointment.

"If I don't click with them I will be in trouble but I would be confident. Alot of the guys know me and where I come from and I think that they will be very happy to work with me," he said.

The St Catherine's clubman has previous intercounty experience as manager of the Waterford footballers and believes he is well primed to take on his latest role.

"I genuinely wouldn't think I'm lacking experience. I'm not exactly 34 but I've been involved the whole time. I've been coaching for over 20 years with different teams here and there."

He added: "Success maybe sometimes doesn't measure what you are doing or what experience you can get."

Walsh was appointed as the new manager following a recommendation by the three-man selection committee of Jimmy Barry-Murphy, Denis Coughlan and John Fenton. The trio were present at this afternoon's press conference to give their backing to the new boss.

Walsh has also received plaudits from Cork County Board chairman Jerry O'Sullivan, who is delighted that a new manager has finally been installed.

"I'm genuinely very pleased with the outcome. I would think that every GAA person in Cork is happy today because we've had our difficulties but now I think is a time to look to the future," he said.

"We've a new manager in with no baggage. He is a very capable guy and I'm sure there are great days ahead for Cork GAA."

And while O'Sullivan is happy with the way the selection process was conducted, he is unsure if this process will be followed when subsequent managers are to be appointed down the line.

"I don't know is the honest answer. We are quite happy that this has worked out very satisfactorally but again things may change in a couple of years time."