Carrigtwohill manager Frank Flannery steps down from senior hurling role

Frank Flannery has stepped down from his role as manager of the Carrigtwohill Senior A HC team after one season in charge of the club.

His backroom team of Niall Kidney, Niall McCarthy, Clive Cremin, Michael Boland and John Hartnett have also departed after their defeat in the semi-final against eventual SAHC winners Newcestown.

Flannery has also confirmed that he will not be taking up a role in the backroom team of the Wexford senior hurlers.

He was supposed to be taking up a part time role for Wexford, but will not be part of the backroom team in 2024 due to work commitments.

After topping Group C and advancing straight to the semi-final, Flannery’s Carrigtwohill side suffered a 2-14 to 1-14 defeat against Newcestown.

Frank, who has had plenty of experience outside of Cork, guided Kanturk to their SAHC title in 2021, and Russell Rovers to their inaugural East Cork Junior AHC title in 2018. He has also featured in the Cork senior setup, as part of Kieran Kingston's backroom team in 2016.

Flannery has also won two Wexford Senior Hurling Championship titles with Oulart the Ballagh and helped them to their first ever Leinster title in 2015, after the club had finished runners up four years in a row from 2010 to 2013.

He was also at the helm when Ardmore and Ballysaggart triumphed in the Waterford Intermediate HC in 2013 and 2019 respectively.

Their 2023 run with Carrigtwohill started well and included a 2-20 to 2-9 dismantling of Mallow. They followed it up with a good win over Cloyne, 0-19 to 1-11.

While they took a hit to Fermoy in the final group game and lost by a point, their scoring difference was enough to secure a semi-final spot, and they remained one of the favourites for the title.

Carrigtwohill led at the break against Newcestown, but a strong start to the second period for the Carbery side was key, as they came back and eliminated Carrigtwohill.