Cork senior football team doctor is the new Ballincollig manager

Aidan Kelleher has been confirmed as the new Ballincollig football manager ahead of the 2026 campaign.

The Clondrohid native replaces Podsie O’Mahony after the latter departed his role recently after six seasons in charge.

The new boss served as a selector under O’Mahony over the last couple of years.

Kelleher has been based in Ballincollig for many years and is currently the team doctor with the Cork senior football team.

He would be very familiar with the Collig players and knows what’s required. He has also been involved with UCC.

Paddy O'Shea will remain as coach with the Village. The former Cork senior football goalkeeper was brought in before the 2025 season got underway.

The St Vincent’s clubman made a big impression on the group this year in what is a youthful panel with potential to kick on.

Former Cork footballer Noel Galvin is on board as a selector. The sticky defender back in the day was part of the Ballincollig team that won their maiden top-tier football championship title in 2014.

Ballincollig will find out their 2026 McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC group stage opponents on Tuesday when the draws are made at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh from 6.30pm.

The Muskerry side reached the last four this year where they lost to the eventual winners of the competition in the shape of St Finbarr’s.

Since the restructuring of the championship before the 2020 season, Ballincollig have qualified out of their group every year apart from 2021.

On top of reaching the semi-finals this year, they also made it to the last four in 2022 where they were beaten by Nemo Rangers.

The new football manager will be working closely with Ballincollig's new Head of Athletic Development Gordon Brett.

The latter has over 15 years of experience in professional sport, as he brings a wealth of knowledge across strength and conditioning, sport science and return-to-play having held roles with Munster, Leinster and Limerick FC.

He has coached across rugby, GAA and athletics, and lectures on athletic development and strength and conditioning. Brett replaces Kevin Smith in the role.

Elsewhere, Robbie O’Dwyer has committed his future to Nemo Rangers by remaining on as manager for next season.

He has completed two campaigns at the helm and had been pondering his future in recent weeks, but he’s staying put.

The city club have lost the last three Premier SFC finals for the first time in their history.

Since winning the Andy Scannell trophy in 2022, they have lost to Castlehaven twice and St Finbarr’s in the decider. 

That success three years ago was Nemo Rangers’ 23rd time winning the top-tier football championship.