Ben O'Connor set to be named Cork hurling manager

The three-person selection committee has decided on the Newtownshandrum man.

Thu, 28 Aug, 2025 - 11:51

Denis Hurley

Ben O’Connor is set to be proposed as the next manager of the Cork senior hurling team.

In the wake of Pat Ryan’s decision, announced last Saturday, not to seek a new term in charge, O’Connor has been considered among the front-runners for the post.

It is believed that the three-man sub-committee charged with finding a new boss, consisting of Cork County Board chairperson Pat Horgan, vice-chairperson Noel O’Callaghan and secretary/CEO Kevin O’Donovan, will on Thursday afternoon recommend the approval of O’Connor.

He would then be subject to ratification by the county committee at next Tuesday’s monthly Cork County Board meeting at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

As a player, O’Connor was part of All-Ireland winning Cork senior teams in 1999, 2004 and 2005, captaining the team to glory in the middle one of those years. With his club Newtownshandrum, he was part of the county championship wins in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2009, winning three Munster club medals and an All-Ireland club title in 2003-04. He won All-Star awards in 2006 and 2008.

Three years ago, O’Connor succeeded Ryan as the county U20 manager and led the team to the All-Ireland title in 2023. Prior to that, he had won the county premier intermediate hurling championship as Charleville manager and was coach when Midleton won the Premier SHC in 2021.