PSHC: Round up of all the management changes within the top clubs

THE winter months are where we most often see changes within management teams for teams in both codes, and that has certainly been the case this year, with numerous changes across the top grades in Cork club hurling and football.

Bishopstown’s Martin Hayes and his backroom team have stayed on for 2024, as they stepped in to replace Glen O’Callaghan before their final group game against Glen Rovers. Their win ensured the city side remained in the top grade, and they’ll now get a run at their first full season.

Blackrock’s Jamie Harrington and his management team will also remain, but with one tweak – Joe Young replaces Trevor O’Keeffe.

Denis O’Riordan and his staff departed Douglas at the end of the 2023 campaign, and the club have recently found their replacement in Martin Coleman. He will be joined by David Larkin, Henry Grimes and Gearóid Reddington.

Charleville have made changes, bringing in Meath Senior hurling manager Seoirse Bulfin. A Limerick man, Bulfin will bring Michael Frawley from Clare with him as an S&C coach.

Erin’s Own’s Martin Bowen stepped back from management to return to the role of secretary, while Martin Buckley received the promotion from selector to manager in 2024. He will be joined by Seán Daly, Mickey Wallace, Peter Kelly, and Paul Fenton on the sidelines next season.

Fr O’Neill’s will be sticking with Dave Colbert for another season, but Kieran Hammersly will be joining the management team as a coach. Midleton’s Micheál Keohane and his selectors will also remain, with the exemption of Pat Walsh – who stepped back after their U21 win over Sars.

Both Sarsfields and St Finbarr’s will be retaining Johnny Crowley and Ger Cunningham respectively, while Premier Senior newcomers Newcestown are also expected to remain unchanged, with Charlie Wilson continuing in his role.

Kanturk have a new management team for 2024, with Donal Cronin taking charge of the north Cork side. He will also be joined by Tom Walsh, who was involved previously.

Cronin had been in contention for the Glen job, but Tomás Mulcahy was chosen as the man to spearhead the northsiders in 2024, though he is yet to fill out the remainder of his backroom team.

Sticking with Senior A, Killeagh will be retaining their management team led by Bryan McCarthy. Likewise, Na Piarsaigh will continue with Mark Mullins, who was joined by Seán Óg Ó hAilpín last year and will be once again for 2024.

Inniscarra’s Ken St Ledger and his backroom team departed a few months ago, but the club are still yet to find a replacement. Courcey Rovers’ Seán Guiheen has returned to the team he took to county success in 2020, while last season’s manager Brian Hayes will continue as a selector.

With players returning and Guiheen taking charge once again, Courcey Rovers could really be one to watch this coming season.

Frank Flannery stepped down from his role as manager with Carrigtwohill, and he and his backroom team have been replaced by John ‘Tweek’ Griffin, a former intercounty hurler for Kerry, who will bring his own coaching staff.

Both Blarney and Castlelyons are expected to remain with the same management teams, while Bride Rovers have taken the decision to appoint one of their own in Brian Murphy, who takes charge of the Senior A side for 2024 replacing Liam Barry.

Ballyhea’s John Mortell has stepped down after three years at the helm, along with Noel Hanley, Darren Ronan, and Dominic Foley.

Replacing Mortell is new manager Aidan Fitzgerald, and he’ll be joined by Jimmy Quilty who returns after being involved when Ballyhea won the PIHC in 2014. He was also a selector for Limerick when they won the All-Ireland title in 2018.

In Premier Intermediate, Ballincollig are expected to remain the same after Danny Dwyer and his backroom team took the Muskerry side to the semi-final.

Their local rivals Éire Óg will also retain their manager John Malone, with Vincent Hurley also part of the management team, after working with the Cork minors last year.

Dungourney have made changes, with Alan Kelleher departing to be replaced by Martin Hennessy, who guided the team to the East Cork U21 B HC title.