No special meeting to be called on Cork hurling

Cork County Board chairman Pat Horgan. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The Cork GAA executive will commence their end of season reviews with senior managers Ben O’Connor and John Cleary over the next month, with the only job vacancies coming at minor and U20 level.

At Wednesday’s launch of the Co-Op Superstores Cork hurling championship, county board chairman Pat Horgan said the executive will sit down with the respective senior managers in four weeks’ time.

With Noel Furlong, Donal Mulcahy, and Keith Ricken having completed their respective managerial terms, Cork are currently on the hunt for a new manager at U20 hurling, minor hurling, and minor football level.

“Our two senior managers are in the middle of a cycle. Ben has one year done of three, and John has one year done of two, while U20 football manager Ray Keane has one year done of two. At the moment, we have three management positions to be filled, two in hurling and one in football.

“At our September meeting, we should be at that stage able to announce our managers of our underage teams and confirm the senior managers, as well.” 

That September board meeting will also facilitate the discussion on Cork hurling that was called for at the July county board meeting which took place three days after the 2-26 to 1-18 All-Ireland semi-final hammering by Galway.

Horgan confirmed there would be no special meeting called for the discussion, rather it would be held within a regular monthly meeting.

“There isn't any requirement to call a special meeting for it. At our September meeting, there will be sufficient time to have any discussion we want on items because at this time of the year we don't have a huge, long agenda.”

Elsewhere, Leo O’Connor has called time on his eight-year involvement with Offaly underage teams. Limerick native O’Connor steered the Offaly minors to an All-Ireland final appearance in 2022, the county’s first involvement in the decider in 33 years. 

Thereafter, he oversaw back-to-back Leinster U20 titles in 2023 and ‘24, landing ultimate honours in the second of those seasons. It represented the county’s maiden All-Ireland U20 crown.