Castlehaven boss James McCarthy steps down 

OUTGOING: Castlehaven manager James McCarthy celebrates the win over Nemo Rangers in the Bon Secours Premier SFC final at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Cork and Munster club football champions Castlehaven are on the lookout for a new senior manager after James McCarthy stepped down as Haven boss.

McCarthy’s latest stint as Castlehaven manager saw him occupy the main bib for the four seasons from 2020-23, the most recent of which was by far the most successful.

After losing the delayed 2020 county final to Nemo Rangers, and then suffering back-to-back semi-final defeats to St Finbarr', Castlehaven overcame both city establishments enroute to securing the club’s sixth Cork SFC title last October, and first in 10 years.

In Munster, the West Cork club overcame Dingle, after extra-time and penalties, to celebrate a first provincial crown since 1997.

St Brigid’s of Roscommon subsequently got the better of them in last month’s All-Ireland club semi-final.

News of McCarthy’s departure comes after a very recent team holiday to Spain brought the curtain down on a memorable 2023 campaign.

In a club statement, Castlehaven secretary Andy Whelton paid tribute to the departing McCarthy, who was also behind the club’s 2003 and 2012 county championship successes.

“I would like to thank James on behalf of the club for his great work over the past four years. I would like to wish James the best in his future endeavours and hopefully he will be back in some form in the club in the near future.”

Castlehaven’s title defence sees them pitted against Clonakilty, Carbery Rangers, and St Michael’s in Group 2 of this year’s Cork SFC.