Niall McCarthy joins Cork U20 hurling management team

Niall McCarthy has been added to the Cork U20 hurling management for the coming season.

McCarthy, who was a key part of the All-Ireland senior victories of 2004 and 2005, served in the minor set-up in 2021, when current U20 manager Noel Furlong guided the county to its first All-Ireland in 20 years.

The addition of the Carrigtwohill native – who, along with Furlong, was integral to the club winning the county SHC in 2011 – was confirmed at Tuesday night’s Cork County Board meeting at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and extends the number of selectors/coaches to six.

Dónal Óg Cusack, Tadhg Óg Murphy and Seán Guiheen were all involved last year as Cork reached the Munster U20HC semi-final, losing to a late goal at home to Clare. Vincent Hurley, who stepped down before Christmas and will be coaching Douglas seniors this year, was replaced by the recently retired Patrick Horgan and the presence of McCarthy, a history and PE teacher at Carrigtwohill Community College, brings further expertise.

As well as serving Carrigtwohill at a variety of grades up to and including senior, he has also coached UCC, Aghada and Russell Rovers.

Also coming into the backroom team is Alan Kennedy. The Sarsfields man, a four-time county SHC winner, will operate as goalkeeping coach

Cork open their Fulfil Munster U20HC campaign on March 25, away to provincial and All-Ireland champions Tipperary, before hosting Limerick a week later.

After a gap of a fortnight, they travel to Waterford on April 15 and have another two-week break before concluding their round-robin schedule at home to Clare.

The county topping the table after each team has played one another will go straight through to the Munster final while the side in second place will host the one in third in the semi-final.