John Cleary hopes to finalise Cork backroom team in 'next couple of weeks'

Cleary said what he's looking for in players has changed under Gaelic football's new rules.

John Cleary said he preferred to see Cork's club quarter-finals played at regional grounds. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Cork football manager John Cleary is hoping to have his backroom team for the 2027 season finalised in the next fortnight. It was confirmed last week that Kevin Murray was leaving his coaching role.

"The majority of the guys that I had are staying," Cleary said on the new Irish Examiner show The Replay with Seánie McGrath.

"I'm lucky to have some super guys with me. Kevin Walsh, an excellent coach, Jim O'Donoghue, Micheál Ó Cróinín, and Barry Corkery who have been with me the last couple of years - they're outstanding coaches and outstanding guys to have involved. 

"In the backroom, every year is a huge commitment. Some guys come in for a year or two and move on due to other commitments. Over the next couple of weeks, hopefully we'll be finalising everything. We're happy enough where we are at the minute."

Cleary attended five Cork championship games at the weekend and rated Bantry's Premier IFC victory over Glanmire as the best for "drama and excitement". The Castlehaven man said what he's looking for in players has changed under Gaelic football's new rules.

"I suppose one thing you're trying to look for is out-and-out forwards, guys that can kick," he said.

"Previous to this they were expected to be back at wing-back, corner-back, they were expected to tackle. I know the press is a different thing and then they're expected to be good at that but after that then their main job is to score, to try and get themselves away if we can get a quick break up the field, to be as elusive as they can.

"I think it has brought that back into the game. It's made the game a lot more exciting and particularly there, a team is defending next thing when you see the break and guys coming next thing, long ball in, sure that's what football is all about.

"You're looking for players that can do that. Next year, the game will go to another level because teams will have bedded down the new rules. This was the first real season of it. Next year, there'll be more tweaks brought in by coaches and management to allow their teams to be more expressive."

Cleary added that he preferred to see Cork's club quarter-finals played at regional grounds. 

"Previously particularly in the football, the quarter-finals were played in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and you know it was soulless," he said.

"Last year, in particular, it was out the country. In two weeks' time now you have the Barrs and Carbery, a double header with Castlehaven and Nemo, in Clonakilty. Beautiful ground. There'll be a massive atmosphere there. The semi-finals then are in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Up to that, it's a better atmosphere. Get the crowd involved. Provincial venues and there's nothing like it to get the adrenalin running."