Cork hurling boss Ben O'Connor not looking forward to trimming panel

Ben O'Connor said Pat Ryan, his predecessor as Cork hurling manager, has given him "good advice and a few tips"

Ben O'Connor was "delighted" with how Cian Darcy performed for Cork in Canon O'Brien Cup against UCC. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Cork hurling manager Ben O'Connor will trim his panel in the coming weeks. It's a task the new boss does not relish.

"We've 46 or 47 in at the moment, so that has to be cut to 36 in a few weeks' time," O'Connor told Clubber after his side's defeat to UCC in the Canon Michael O'Brien Cup on Sunday.

"Look, it's the side of it that I don't like doing, but fellas know when they come in at the start, they know it's going to be cut to that. They know the story. It's disappointing but look, that's what drives fellas on in training as well."

O'Connor was "disappointed" with the one-point loss to a UCC team featuring players who will line out for his Cork senior side in 2026.

"It's busy," the Newtownshandrum man said about his new role.

"We knew that when we were signing up to this gig. It isn't too often we get the chance to be involved.

"I'm delighted to be here. Delighted that we've got this game under our belt today because today was the day that we kicked off the hurling side of it. We've been training hard for the last six or seven weeks. So it's nice to get fellas out hurling and see where they're at."

Sarsfields' Cian Darcy, scorer of 1-1, was one of the standout players for Cork. 

"He's just one of them fellas who can cover ground," said O'Connor.

"Big, long stride on him. He's a great engine. He isn't actually back in that long with us after Sars in Munster. He came back in, I suppose, a week later. It's a big step up for Cian but I was a little bit delighted to see him going well there today. Hopefully he keeps progressing like that."

O'Connor also paid tribute to his predecessor Pat Ryan.

"Pat's a pure gentleman," said O'Connor.

"I've spoken to Pat a good few times since I took on the role here. He's given me good advice and a few tips here and there about how to get things set up. 

"I suppose the first year when Pat came in, they didn't get out of the group stage (in Munster) but the next two years were unreal. The only thing, we didn't get over the line (in an All-Ireland final). 

"Pat has a lot of the heavy lifting done. Hopefully we'll be able to just add something else that might get us there."