John Cleary looks set to remain in charge of Cork footballers

All the indications are that John Cleary looks set to remain in charge of the Cork footballers, The Echo understands. 

The Castlehaven clubman has been at the helm of the Rebels since the summer of 2022 having been interim boss for a few months prior to that. 

His three-year term came to an end following the Leesiders 1-19 to 1-16 loss to Dublin in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final four weeks ago at Croke Park.

Cleary remained tight-lipped on his future when speaking to the media following his side’s narrow defeat against the Dubs. 

While there are certain things that need to be ironed out, the indications are that the two-time All-Ireland winner as a player with the Cork seniors in 1989 and ’90, is inclined to stay on as manager. There are expected to be changes to his backroom team.

Having reached the last eight of the All-Ireland in 2022 and ’23, Cork have fallen at the preliminary quarter-final hurdle in the last two seasons following losses to Louth and Dublin respectively.

The Munster championship has been a source of frustration, losing to Kerry in the semi-final in 2022, ’24 and ’25.

Being beaten by Clare in Ennis at the quarter-final stage in 2023 was a real disappointment in what was a great chance of making the provincial decider more than likely against the Kingdom.

In Division 2 of the league, having avoided relegation on the last day in 2022, a fourth-place finish was achieved in the next two campaigns before ending up in fifth this year.

The Rebels have made progress under Cleary’s tutelage though with the aim now of pushing on again. They are much more competitive now against the best teams and are better conditioned. 

Steven Sherlock’s decision to pull out of the squad for this campaign was a blow. The St Finbarr’s ace is one of the top footballers on Leeside and getting him back involved should be a key objective for the management.