Two Cork GAA greats on the sidelines this year

TWO of the most experienced coaches in the Rebel County will be trying to revitalise two clubs with a lot of potential this year.

Larry Tompkins, once described by former Kerry manager Mick O’Dwyer as ‘one of the best players to ever play football’, is coaching the Aghada premier intermediate football team this season.

The Cork GAA legend, who was captain of the Rebels when they won the All-Ireland title in 1990, which was Cork's second Sam Maguire triumph on the bounce, is an interesting choice for a team who are going through a transitional period at the moment.

Tompkins is working under new manager Mick Kiely, and he would have walked through the Rostellan club gates with his eyes wide open. Aghada, who were a top-flight club as recently as 2018, reached the quarter-finals of the PIFC in 2022, but failed to qualify out of their group stage last year, albeit in what was a very difficult one, with Kilshannig and Cill na Martra finishing above them.

Aghada are in Division 3 of the McCarthy Insurance Group football league after suffering relegation from Division 2 in 2023 after losing all nine games. The first fixture in Division 3 didn’t go according to plan for the team in green and white after a 3-17 to 0-5 defeat away to Mallow. It must be noted though that Aghada were down more than 10 players due to a combination of reasons.

Aghada bounced back to win away to Rockchapel in the second outing, 1-6 to 1-5. Aghada are at home to Newmarket on Sunday at 11.30am.

In the PIFC group stage, the East Cork side will face Aghabullogue, Iveleary and Ilen Rovers.

Aghada aren’t too far away, and with the experience and coaching expertise of Tompkins, they will be looking to kick on. They were within three points of eventual winners Cill na Martra last year, hammered Na Piarsaigh 3-24 to 2-5, and battled gamely against Kilshannig, before eventually losing by eight points.

Elsewhere, Bandon have endured a difficult few years, suffering demotion from the senior A football grade in 2022, and were fortunate not to end up in the relegation play-off in the PIFC last year. Despite finishing bottom of their respective group, the West Cork side had two points from their three games, which was enough to avoid the dreaded slán leat play-off.

Ray Brennan, who was a selector last season, has stepped up to be the main man, and he has added former Cork footballer Tony Leahy to his management ticket. It’s a coup for Bandon to have gotten their number one target when they were on the lookout for a new coach, given the St Finbarr’s club man was in demand.

Leahy is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable coaches around, and has made a big impact already on the Bandon players.

Leahy, who won two counties and two Munster titles and one All-Ireland while playing for his beloved St Finbarr’s, masterminded Cork’s first All-Ireland football triumph at U21 level since 1994 in 2007. Leahy would step down in November of that year, paving way for John Cleary, who served as a selector under Leahy, to take the job. Leahy has been heavily involved in the club scene on Leeside, but this latest job will test his coaching credentials.

Bandon have had a tough few years, and trying to steady the ship will be one of Leahy’s key objectives. The 2024 campaign started on a winning note for Bandon, after they beat St Vincent’s on home soil 1-7 to 1-5, in their opening McCarthy Insurance Group Division 4 league outing. Bandon are away for the second match, as they face Ilen Rovers on Sunday at 11.30am.

In the PIFC group stage, the Lilywhites will face Naomh Abán, Bantry Blues and Nemo Rangers' second team.