All-Ireland football winner joins new Cork U20 football management team

Ray Keane is the new Cork U20 football manager on a two-year term.

The Cork County Board confirmed the management teams for the respective Cork sides for next season on Tuesday afternoon. They were all ratified on Tuesday night.

Keane brings a wealth of experience to his new role having helped his adopted club Éire Óg to a number of underage successes.

The Kerry native would later get involved with St Finbarr’s under the guidance of Tony Leahy and eventually stepped up to the top job.

Keane was boss when the city club won the Cork SFC in 2018 to end a 33-year wait.

He’s currently the manager of Aghabullogue as they bid to reach the knockout stages of the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC. They are in a strong position to do so.

2010 All-Ireland winner with the Rebels, Paul Kerrigan, will be coach, with Kevin O’Sullivan and Enda Kiernan selectors.

All-Ireland hurling winner with Cork in 1999, Kevin Murray, has been confirmed as a member of the Cork senior football backroom team.

Murray played for the Rebels for almost a decade and also won two Munster medals. He will be involved in the coaching and sports science departments of the set-up.

He played football for Dohenys and is now involved with St Finbarr’s.

It's more or less the same management ticket as the last few seasons apart from James Loughrey, who has departed.

Manager John Cleary agreed a fresh two-year term as boss last month. Micheál Ó Cróinín, Jim O'Donoghue, Barry Corkery and Kevin Walsh will remain part of the set-up.

Keith Ricken is staying on as Cork minor football manager, which is no surprise. The St Vincent’s clubman has another year on his two-year term. Billy O'Connor, John McNulty, Clive Cremin and Maurice Moore will be on board once again for 2026.

Finally, the McCarthy Insurance Group County U21 football championship draws took place on Tuesday night.

At the A grade, the standout quarter-final tie anywhere is the meeting of Douglas and Ballincollig with the winners facing Beara.

Mallow lock horns with Ibane Gaels with Kinsale waiting in the last four.

Moving down to the B level, three quarter-final games, Robert Emmet’s against Ballymartle, Carrigtwohill and Donoughmore with St Nick’s going into battle with St Colum’s.

Clyda Rovers have received a bye and will meet either St Nick's or St Colum's.

Finally at the C grade, St Peter’s meet Ilen Rovers with the winners playing the Carrigdhoun champions.

Blarney/Rathpeacon take on Kildorrery with Cobh waiting in the last four.