Confirmed: Ben O'Connor to be recommended as next Cork hurling boss 

The three-year term will likely be ratified at the next Cork County Committee meeting on Tuesday.

NEW ERA: Ben O'Connor is set to be the next Cork senior hurling boss. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ben O’Connor will be proposed as the next manager of the Cork senior hurling team, the county board have confirmed.

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.

And now, 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, have  recommended the approval of O’Connor.

"Cork GAA is pleased to confirm that Ben O’Connor of Newtownshandrum will be recommended as manager of the Cork senior hurling team on a three-year term for approval at the next Cork County Committee meeting on Tuesday, September 2nd," a statement reads. "His selection team will also be confirmed at this meeting."

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.

Cork GAA chairperson Pat Horgan said: "We are delighted that someone of Ben O’Connor’s calibre is available to take up this hugely important position. We believe that Ben has all the credentials to build on the wonderful work done by the previous management team, and to lead this talented group of players forward. I wish him every success and I am sure our supporters will get fully behind Ben and his team."

Cork GAA secretary/CEO Kevin O’Donovan added: ‘Ben O’Connor’s achievements as a player and as a manager / coach, at both club and county level, set him apart as the outstanding candidate for the post of Cork senior hurling manager. Ben was one of the most talented players of his generation, and is a born winner. The same high standards he set on the field have also been evident in the success he has achieved as an All-Ireland winning manager with our Under 20s. We look forward to supporting Ben and his management team in 2026 and beyond."