Alan Connolly: Ben O'Connor appointment 'the next best thing' for Cork hurlers

If it was the players' choice, they'd have retained Pat Ryan as manager but nobody is complaining about Ben O'Connor.

Blackrock and Cork hurler Alan Connolly.

The day Alan Connolly struck his first hat-trick of goals for Cork, in March of 2024, he talked about the 'dark place' he'd just emerged from.

The Blackrock man was only back after missing all of 2023 with injuries and hit Offaly for 3-1 in that National League tie.