Brian Barry-Murphy will lead a Cork crew to take on Man United at Old Trafford

BRIAN Barry-Murphy, son of former Cork dual star and senior hurling manager JBM, has a trip to Old Trafford to look forward to in his role as team boss of Rochdale.

When the draw for the third-round of the Carabao League Cup third-round draw was made the League One side were paired alongside United.

There is a very strong Cork connection in Rochdale these, with Leeside's Eoghan O'Connell along with former Cork City players Ryan Delaney, Jimmy Keohane and Stephen Dooley in their squad. O'Connell is a highly-rated young defender who started cross channel with Celtic and had a successful loan stint at Turner's Cross.

It’s a massive draw for a club that was in serious danger of being relegated last season when they were at one time five points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Their manager at the time, Keith Hill was subsequently sacked and their former player Barry-Murphy was appointed in a caretaker capacity.

There was an immediate upsurge in their fortunes which led to their survival in the division and the appointment of the Corkman as full-time boss.

Since he took the reins the club has played 18 games, winning nine, drawing five and losing four.

They currently lie just below mid-table in League One and drew with Blackpool last weekend who went into that game as league leaders Barry-Murphy joined the club as a player in 2010 after previously being involved with Preston, Southend, Hartepool, Sheffield Wednesday and Bury.

He also represented Ireland at U21 level but bringing a team to Old Trafford to face United will surely be one of the standout moments in his career. 

Meahwhile, Cork City boss Neale Fenn takes charge of his first game tonight when the club host Sligo Rovers at Turner's Cross.

The victorious Cork U20 football team will be paraded at half-time and a good crowd is expected following Fenn's appointment.

City are at home again on Monday night for a Munster derby against Waterford.