Appointment Committee chooses Barry Murphy to lead Cork hurlers

The committee set up to appoint a successor to Denis Walsh has recommended that Jimmy Barry Murphy be appointed as the next Cork Senior Hurling manager.

Barry Murphy has already held the position of Cork boss in the past and managed them to an All-Ireland SHC title in 1999, as well as provincial honours in 1999 and 2000.

Previously, the St Finbarr's clubman served as Cork's minor manager with provincial titles annexed in 1994 and 1995, and an All-Ireland title in 1995.

A statement issued on the Cork GAA website this afternoon confirmed that Barry Murphy is the preferred candidate and that his name will be put forward for ratification at a meeting of the Cork GAA County committee early next month.

"The Appointment Committee has decided to recommend the appointment of Jimmy Barry Murphy as County senior hurling manager," the statement read.

"The appointment is subject to ratification by the County Committee at its next meeting on September 6."

The statement also confirmed that the period of office for the new manager will be a three-year term, with the manager also being allowed to appoint his own backroom team.

"The Management Committee (of the County Committee) has authorised this announcement now to enable the recommended manager to commence the process of appointing his management team, and to provide the earliest opportunities for management appointments to be considered for the other Cork inter-county hurling teams in the various grades."

As a player, Barry Murphy played both senior hurling and football for the Rebels during the 1970s and 1980s.

He was ever-present during the Cork hurlers' three in-a-row of All-Ireland wins between 1976 and 1978, while he added two further titles in 1984 and 1986, in addition to an All-Ireland SFC winners' medal in 1973.

Following his last stint as Cork hurling supremo, Barry Murphy has continued to be active in the GAA within his own club St. Finbarr's and also through his involvement with the Cork development squads and various other initiatives.