Confirmed: Ben O'Connor to be proposed as Cork hurling manager

Cork County Board have confirmed that Ben O’Connor will be proposed as the next manager of the Cork senior hurling team, as revealed by the Echo on Thursday morning.

In the wake of Pat Ryan’s decision, announced last Saturday, not to seek a new term in charge, O’Connor had been considered among the front-runners for the post.

The three-man sub-committee charged with finding a new boss, consisting of Cork County Board chairperson Pat Horgan, vice-chairperson Noel O’Callaghan and secretary/CEO Kevin O'Donovan, acted quickly after identifying O'Connor as their number-one target and he has accepted the invitation to become manager on a three-year term.

The Newtownshandrum native will be formally proposed at next Tuesday’s monthly Cork County Board meeting at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and his selectors will be confirmed then all.

"We are delighted that someone of Ben O’Connor’s calibre is available to take up this hugely important position," said Cork chairperson Pat Horgan.

"We believe that Ben has all the credentials to build on the wonderful work done by the previous management team, and to lead this talented group of players forward. I wish him every success and I am sure our supporters will get fully behind Ben and his team."

Those views were echoed by Kevin O’Donovan said: 

"Ben O’Connor’s achievements as a player and as a manager/coach, at both club and county level, set him apart as the outstanding candidate for the post of Cork senior hurling manager," he said.

"Ben was one of the most talented players of his generation and is a born winner. The same high standards he set on the field have also been evident in the success he has achieved as an All-Ireland winning manager with our U20s. 

"We look forward to supporting Ben and his management team in 2026 and beyond."

As a player, O’Connor was part of All-Ireland winning Cork senior teams in 1999, 2004 and 2005, captaining the team to glory in the middle one of those years. 

With his club Newtownshandrum, he was part of the county championship wins in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2009, winning three Munster club medals and an All-Ireland club title in 2003-04. He won All-Star awards in 2005 and 2008.

PEDIGREE

Three years ago, O’Connor succeeded Ryan as the county U20 manager and led the team to the All-Ireland title in 2023. Prior to that, he had won the county premier intermediate hurling championship as Charleville manager and was coach when Midleton won the Premier SHC in 2021.