Former Cork stars Pearse O’Neill and Patrick Kelly take first steps into management

PEARSE O’Neill is expected to be part of the Cork U20 football backroom team for the 2024 campaign.

The Aghada giant donned the Rebel geansaí with distinction, playing for the Cork senior footballers from 2006 to 2013, winning four Munster championship titles and of course played a key role in bringing Sam Maguire back to the banks of the Lee in 2010. O’Neill also won four Allianz league crowns and was named on the All-Star team in 2009.

The 44-year-old remains a key figure for Aghada but his status as a former Rebel star adds an edge to the U20 set-up.

The Cork U20s are under new management for the upcoming season after the departure of Bobbie O’Dwyer back in July following the completion of his two-year term in charge. Éire Óg’s Ray O’Mahony, who was Cork minor football boss this year, is the new manager, and he will be joined by Ballincollig’s Michael O’Brien who will be head coach. 

O’Brien also had a spell managing the county minors in 2021 and ’22, winning two Munster crowns while at the helm. O’Mahony succeeded him in the role as the Rebels were beaten by Kerry in the Munster final and then Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-final this year.

Eamonn O’Connor of Kildorrery is the assistant head coach with Daniel Cronin (St Mary’s) and James Condon (Glanworth) selectors. Bandon’s Pat Prendergast is the goalkeeping coach.

Part of O’Neill’s role is set to be working with the midfielders. His experience and leadership will be a huge asset to the young players.

Cork’s first championship outing will be next April. They will be guaranteed at least three games, but they will have to watch other matches pan out to see who they will face in their opening match. O’Mahony’s team will play the Phase 1 round-robin winners with the group consisting of Clare, Tipperary, Waterford and Limerick.

The Cork U20s can start training for the new season on Monday, January 1. The Leesiders’ last Munster football crown at this grade came in 2021 while they were All-Ireland champions in 2019 after a memorable campaign that culminated in a brilliant comeback against Dublin in the All-Ireland final.

Meanwhile, O'Neill's former Cork comrade Patrick Kelly has been appointed as Junior A manager for Ballincollig. 

The Village have Podsie O'Mahony at the helm of their Premier Senior side but will hope to challenge again at junior level in Mid Cork and tap into the strong underage talent coming on stream. They were minor league winners this season and secured U16 Premier 1 titles last month and in 2019, which produced the likes of Sean Dore, Harry Ahearne, Liam O'Connell and Darragh O'Mahony for the current senior team.

In the modern era, the Collig have reached a number of divisional finals, including a cracker against Aghinagh in 2021.