Ciarán McGann returns as Castlelyons reshuffle management for 2026

Last year’s beaten Senior A finalists Castlelyons have changed up their management team ahead of the 2026 season. Current Cork U20 boss Noel Furlong is no longer involved as a coach, while manager Michael Spillane departs and is replaced by Ciarán McGann, who returns as manager.

McGann previously led the club to a Premier Intermediate final in 2021, where they lost out to Courcey Rovers, suffering back-to-back county heartbreaks. The following season in 2022 under McGann yielded a semi-final exit to Castlemartyr.

Though he has not been front and centre since, McGann has remained close to the group, serving as a selector under both Furlong and Spillane in recent seasons.

His new backroom team will include selectors Barry Fitzgerald and Peter Murphy, with Ross Corbett stepping in as coach. Anthony Kenny takes charge of strength and conditioning.

Last season, under Michael Spillane with Furlong involved again as coach, Castlelyons suffered another county final defeat – though this one at Senior A level – against neighbours Bride Rovers.

Their first meeting finished level, but it was Rovers who edged the replay, and in doing so ended their own lengthy run of semi-final defeats without a final appearance, before going on to win it and secure promotion to the PSHC.

Across the past six championships they have reached the semi-finals every year, falling short of the decider only twice, against Castlemartyr in 2022 and in 2024, when eventual champions Glen Rovers edged them out at Senior A.

Their 2026 group will see them pitted against Blarney, Watergrasshill and Ballyhea, as they look to get back to another county final.

Castlelyons will begin their RedFM Hurling League Division 3 campaign on March 8 away to Éire Óg, before hosting last year’s beaten Intermediate A finalists Bandon on March 22.