Meet the new boss, same as the old boss: Blarney go back to the future

Paul O’Leary is set to return as manager of the Blarney hurling team.

The 38-year-old, who was part of the Blarney side that won the 2008 Premier IHC, previously the role of player-manager, albeit without selectorial duties, in 2019 and 2020.

Blarney won the PIHC - by then the third tier - in the latter of those years before reverting to solely playing.

In their time at senior A level, first under Ronan Byrne and then Mick Barrett for the past three seasons, Blarney have regularly contended. In 2023, they lost the county final to Newcestown after a replay and then made it back to the decider last year, falling to Glen Rovers. This year, they were beaten semi-finalists against Castlelyons.

With Barrett and coach Gavin O’Mahony having stepped down at the end of the campaign, O’Leary has assumed the role once more, but he will not be part of the senior A panel. Stephen O’Brien, Fintan Coleman and Colm O’Connor will be the selectors while Adam McCarthy will serve as the team’s strength and conditioning coach.

Erin’s Own, relegated to senior A for 2026 after almost four decades in the top flight, recently appointed Brendan O’Riordan to succeed Shay Bowen.

At premier senior level, the highest-profile vacancy at the moment is at St Finbarr’s, following Ger C

unningham’s departure after four years in charge. Newtownshandrum, who beat Erin’s Own to stay up are also on the lookout following the decision of Gary Morrissey and his selectors to step aside.

Otherwise, the top-tier managerial postings are unlikely to be subject to much change. While Ray O’Neill remains in charge of Fr O’Neill’s, the Ballymacoda/Ladysbridge outfit are on the search for a new coach after Tipperary native Kieran Hammersley stepped down following two years in the role.