Club hurling news: St Finbarr's, Mallow and Charleville appoint new managers

ST FINBARR’S senior hurlers will have a new manager next season with former star player Aidan Fitzpatrick taking over from Ronan Curran.

The former Cork centre-back had been at the helm for the past two years but he now hands over the reins to Fitzpatrick, the son of Eamon who was one of the club’s greatest ever servants.

He will be assisted on the sideline by Trevor Olden and Alan McCarthy, son of Gerald.

The Togher club have been in the wilderness as far far as winning county senior titles since 1993, but there is optimism that there are better times ahead.

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They reached the last four this year, losing to title winners Imokilly after putting up a very solid performance.

They are berthed in a very competitive group in next season’s revamped championship alongside the Glen, Na Piarsaigh and Carrigtwohill, a group that should ensure some cracking city encounters. the club willalso feature in the Premier 2 U21 final next weekend when they take on Bride Rovers.

A victory in that grade would be a huge boost and build further on the platform that is being laid.

Meanwhile, there will be a new management team in Mallow too with former Cork player Ger Manley taking over as manager with Philip Hayes and Jerry Murphy as selectors.

Mallow have been one of the more fancied clubs in the PIHC grade for a few years but are still waiting for the big breakthrough.

Elsewhere, there has been historic development in the Charleville club with the appointment of a first ever female chairperson.

Aileen Brown has been appointed to the post for the next three years.

On the playing front, Charleville have appointed former player Claude Gough as the new senior coach, succeeding Ben O’Connor who had a very successful stint, leading the team into senior ranks.