Former Cork footballer Fiachra Lynch takes on player-manager role with Valley Rovers

Former Cork footballer Fiachra Lynch will have a dual role next season after being confirmed as Valley Rovers’ player-manager.

The club stalwart, who won an All-Ireland title with the Rebels in 2010, replaces Denis Kiely at the helm of the Carrigdhoun team.

Kiely stepped down shortly after steering Valley Rovers to safety this year after victory over Carbery Rangers after a replay in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC relegation play-off.

The team in green and white were driven on by Lynch this year with the forward finishing as the fourth top scorer.

He was only behind Mark Cronin, David Buckley and the eventual outright leader Steven Sherlock.

This new role for Lynch represents a big challenge for him given it’s his first major managerial role with his beloved Valley Rovers. Trying to balance the management and playing side will be interesting.

He was still his side’s main player this year and played a massive role in keeping the team up in the top-tier of the Cork football championship.

Lynch will turn 39 years of age next June.

Former O’Donovan Rossa player Barry Casey, who has been living in the Valley Rovers parish for many years, will be part of the new management ticket. 

Casey has previously been involved with underage teams in the club and has been with the first team before as recently as 2024 so he knows the players inside out.

Further additions to the management are expected in due course.

Lynch’s first competitive game as player-manager of Valley Rovers will be a tough one. It will be at home against Dohenys in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 2 Football League which is down for Sunday, March 1.

The Carrigdhoun side finished a couple of places above the drop zone last season picking up eight points from nine games, three points above the relegation places.

In the 2026 McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC group stage, Valley Rovers will once again come up against near neighbours Newcestown.

The two sides met back in July with Newcestown winning by six points.

The team in green and white will also meet Nemo Rangers and St Michael’s.

Valley Rovers haven’t qualified for the business end since the 2021 campaign which included a group win over Nemo Rangers.

Valley's lost to Castlehaven at the quarter-final stage.

Elsewhere, O’Donovan Rossa have finalised their management team ahead of the 2026 campaign. 

Gene Hourihane has departed as boss after one season in charge. The West Cork side picked up one point from their three group games in the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC this year.

They had to beat Fermoy to avoid going down.

Liam Hurley, Shane Crowley, Brian Williams and Ian Breen make up the new set-up.

Williams guided O’Donovan Rossa to Premier Minor county glory in 2001 after a remarkable trilogy of games it took them to beat Ballincollig in the final.

Breen was half-back on the Skibbereen-based team that won the All-Ireland senior club title in 1993.

O’Donovan Rossa meet local rivals Carbery Rangers, Cill na Martra and Newmarket in their championship group next year.