Rebel U16 manager: 'Success would be players have a positive experience when representing Cork'

Kenneth Burns and the Cork LGFA U16 inter-county setup are looking to build on recent successes ahead of a busy 2025 Munster and All-Ireland championships.

Grenagh’s Kenneth Burns gets his chance to lead the Cork LGFA U16 A squad following back-to-back Sharon O’Keefe tournament wins whilst in charge of the Cork U16 Bs.

Last year, the Rebels edged Kerry 3-9 to 3-3 following a cracking decider in which Mourneabbey’s Sarah Finnegan netted a hat-trick.

Burns and his management team have spent the past few months patiently working towards the 2025 Munster LGFA U16A championship.

Dates released for the round-robin stage of the provincial competition sees Cork getting things underway away to Tipperary on Saturday, February 22. There is a break until Sunday, March 3, when Cork welcome their great rivals Kerry to Leeside. 

A trip to Limerick on March 16 precedes a home fixture against Waterford at the end of that month. Clare host the Rebels on April 13 before, hopefully, the Rebels progress to a Munster A final on April 20.

PATTERN

Before a ball is thrown in, Kenneth Burns and his management team’s plans for the coming season are straightforward.

“The goal is to form a pattern, to develop the players, to prepare for the Munster Championship, and to find a best way of playing,” the Cork LGFA U16 A manager said.

“So we’re very much looking at just team formation and the first game against Tipperary. No one is looking beyond that game for the moment.

“In terms of the quality of players we have been looking at to form this year’s panel, it is unbelievable. 

During our trial process, we got to see players represent their divisions and the standard was excellent. It was very difficult to form the 2025 panel.

“We have been making preparations for a few months now, so it’s really exciting, getting into the nitty-gritty of the pre-season. As we start working with this panel it is all about getting them to gel, know each other better, learn more about their strengths and skills, and helping them represent Cork to the best of their ability.

“As well as that, the good news is that there will be, once again, a very strong Cork U16 B team able to compete in the Sharon O’Keefe tournament."

2025’s Cork LGFA U16A management team will be made up of Margaret Flaherty (St Michael’s, selector), Sean Ryan (Glanmire, selector), Nicole Hickey (Glanmire, FLO), Jonathan O’Callaghan (Erin’s Own, selector), Fr Terry O’Brien (Kilmacabea, selector), Michelle Dullea (Strength and Conditioning), Ellen Baker and Debbie O’Mahony (physios).

“Yeah, I’m very happy with this year’s management team,” Kenneth Burns added.

“It’s the management team that was with last year’s U16 Bs so we’re a fairly cohesive group. They are a very talented bunch of people and they’re committed to Cork LGFA. 

That means there’s also continuity because a number of the players who played U16 B during 2024 will once again represent Cork at U16 A this coming season.

“So there’s continuity both in the management team and with some of the players who have already represented their county plus a few additional players.” 

At U16 inter-county level, players want to win trophies but, equally importantly, make sure they put their hands up for future inter-county selection.

So, what would represent success for the Cork U16 A management team at the end of 2025?

“Success in our eyes would be that the players would have a positive experience when it comes to representing Cork,” Burns said.

“We also want to bring the Cork LGFA community with us to support this team. Short-term success is that first Munster game against Tipperary. 

A longer-term goal would be that these U16 players are retained in the Cork LGFA setup and see a pathway for themselves. Continuing to represent their clubs will be equally important.

“Cork LGFA’s commitment to Strength and Conditioning and delivering a progressive programme across all the county’s age groups will be huge. There is now a clear pathway in terms of their personal development, S&C, nutrition and footballing skills.

“In terms of next year’s championship, it’s too early to be thinking of success. We are still at the early stages of player development, team formation and the wider project of improving standards. Success, hopefully, will come out of that.”