New Cork U20 football boss gets backing from his predecessor 

Former Cork U20 football manager Ray O’Mahony has backed his successor Ray Keane in the role.

O’Mahony departed at the end of his two-year tenure back in April after a second successive Munster final loss to Kerry under his watch.

He has been replaced by his fellow Éire Óg clubman in the shape of Keane, who has been handed a two-year term.

Keane, a brother of former Kerry and Clare manager Peter, was wing-forward on the South Kerry divisional team that won the Kerry County SFC in 2005.

He has had coaching success with his adopted Éire Óg and also St Finbarr’s in years gone by. Currently, he's trying to get Aghabullogue into the PIFC knockout stages.

“Ray has great experience, I know Ray well,” O’Mahony says.

“Obviously, he was with St Finbarr’s and he’s with Aghabullogue at the moment. I wish him well. He’ll have his own style and that sort of stuff, and he’ll drive it on.

“We’ll see what happens in the next few months. I met Bobbie O’Dwyer when I took over from him in 2023 because it is a different dynamic to the minor.

“If Ray picks up the phone and rings me, I have no problem sitting down with him for a coffee and going through things. There’s still a lot of players that are underage again next year from the squad we had this year.

“If the challenges are there that were there for me, Ray will see them for himself, you know, if those challenges are outside his control. Hopefully the stakeholders that are involved are able to get the U21 club championship into the master plan. It’s crucial.” 

O’Mahony has no doubt about Keane’s ability as a manager having built up a strong CV to date. The Rebels have struggled at U20 football level for the last number of years even before O’Mahony came in the door.

“Every day is a school day and Ray is a very experienced club manager,” the ex-Cork U20 football boss said.

“His brother is obviously Peter, who was involved with the Kerry senior footballers for a number of years, so I’m sure he will be in touch with Peter as well and get his advice.

“But Ray’s around long enough to paddle his own canoe and make his own decisions. I wish him well and I really would like to see Cork back winning Munster titles and eventually All-Ireland titles and even more so at minor level and U20 level.” 

Cork last tasted provincial glory at this U20 grade back in 2021 under the guidance of Keith Ricken. The All-Ireland was last won in 2019 when Ricken was also in charge.

“There’s a lot of players there that are underage again next year and I do think there’s going to be some late developers, fellas who’ve never played for Cork. They’re out there as well.

“Everyone’s still developing at different stages. Ray Keane will have a good crop of players to pick from. There’s plenty of good footballers in Cork, and it’s about kicking it on now to the next level.

“I do believe Ray has inherited an excellent crop of guys and also players that will come from the minor team. I do think Cork aren’t far away.”