Paudie Murray takes over as St Finbarr's hurling manager

Former Cork camogie manager Paudie Murray is the new St Finbarr's hurling manager.

Paudie's brother, Kevin, who is a new Cork football selector for the 2026 inter-county season, will serve as Barrs hurling coach. 

During his decade-long tenure as Cork senior camogie manager, Paudie oversaw All-Ireland final wins in 2014, '15, '17, and '18. He was also the Cork minor hurling manager in 2022. 

Kevin, an All-Ireland hurling winner with Cork in 1999, has worked at underage level with most of the current Barrs panel.

The Murray brothers succeed Ger Cunningham who ended the Barrs' 29-year wait for Cork hurling honours in 2022. The Barrs have been drawn alongside Midleton, Newcestown, and Bride Rovers in the 2026 Cork Premier SHC.

LEADING LIGHT

Club man Brian Hayes was this week announced as the Munster GAA Hurler of the Year.

Hayes enjoyed a rich vein of goal-scoring form throughout 2025, racking up 5-8 on the road to League ribbons before posting the exact same tally during Cork’s journey to the last Sunday of the hurling championship.

In the provincial arena, his outstanding performance was arguably that which he delivered on the opening afternoon of Munster fare. Hayes left Ennis with 2-2 and was responsible for another 0-1.

He was front runner for overall Hurler of the Year, which went to John McGrath, before the All-Ireland final loss to Tipperary but did collect his first All-Star last month.