Noel Furlong appointed as Cork U20 hurling manager

Cork have announced the appointment of Noel Furlong as manager of the county's U20 hurling team on a two-year term.

The Carrigtwohill clubman – a county SHC medallist in 2011 – succeeds the All-Ireland-winning manager of 2023, Ben O'Connor, who did not seek a further extension.

Furlong was in charge of the side that won the 2021 All-Ireland minor title and served as senior coach under Kieran Kingston in 2022.

In 1999, Furlong was a dual Cork minor, playing at full-back as the county won the Munster minor football title, and since his retirement from playing he has amassed a sizeable portfolio as a coach.

Having guided Fr O'Neills to the IHC in 2016, he helped UCC to Fitzgibbon Cup success in 2020 and later that year led Russell Rovers to the Lower IHC final, though Cork minor managerial commitments for 2021 meant that the had to step aside before the Churchtown/Shanagarry side took on Castlemartyr in that final.

After winning the Munster and All-Ireland titles with the Cork minors, Furlong was added to Kieran Kingston's management for what proved to be his final year in charge of the county senior side. Following the end of that term, he took over Castlelyons, winning the Co-op SuperStores Cork Premier IHC before adding the Munster club title and reaching the All-Ireland final.

Cork chairperson Pat Horgan paid tribute to O'Connor and welcomed Furlong. "Cork GAA remain indebted to Ben and his team for a tremendous period of success," he said.

"We look forward to working with him again in the future. We are delighted to welcome Noel on board. His record speaks for itself."

Those views were echoed by county secretary/CEO Kevin O'Donovan. "Ben has followed a decorated career on the field with Cork as a player, before guiding the U20 hurlers to Munster and All-Ireland success in 2023," he said.

"We remain grateful to him for his contribution and are delighted to have someone of Noel's calibre as his successor."

This appointment will go before county committe for approval at the next meeting on Tuesday, August 6, with selectors also to be announced at that point.