New managers, familiar faces: Your complete guide to Cork senior hurling management changes

With the RedFM Hurling Leagues getting back underway in just over a fortnight, here’s all you need to know regarding the management teams and their changes across the top clubs for 2026.

Glen Rovers have made one of the most notable tweaks, with former Cork coach Donal O’Rourke joining Tomás Mulcahy’s backroom team, as he replaces the outgoing Tommy Dunne. Former Cork S&C coach Ian Jones has also joined the setup.

Fr O’Neill’s follow a similar pattern – change without upheaval – as Ray O’Neill remains in charge once again, while Alan Dunne replaces Kieran Hammersley as coach, and Brian O’Callaghan takes over as a selector from Eoin Conway.

Newcomers Bride Rovers have made some tweaks too. Brian Murphy stepped away as manager and has been replaced by former manager Liam Barry, while Stephen Glasgow remains as coach. Recently retired hurler Jamie Peters takes up a selectorial position alongside Alan Fitzgerald and Frank Hogan.

Midleton have brought in a new manager, Padraig O’Shea takes over from Micheál Keohane, who concluded his three-year stint at the end of last year. O’Shea had previously been a selector during Keohane’s first two seasons in charge. Frank Flannery remains on board as a coach, while Barry Fitzgerald and Liam Walsh will remain as selectors. Recently retired players Aidan Ryan and Cillian Hurley have been added to the backroom.

Charleville have opted to keep things the same in 2026, Dominic Foley remains in charge with James Kennedy coaching.

Newcestown have made changes, most notably in bringing in Daniel Twomey as their manager, and making him the youngest PSHC boss in the process. He replaces the outgoing Niall O’Sullivan, but they will keep Wayne Power on as coach and Conor O’Donovan as a selector. Rick Bradfield also joins the backroom.

Blackrock too have gone for the familiar once again – Jamie Harrington remains in charge as manager, with no personnel changes to the backroom.

Sarsfields too remain the same, despite rumours that the successful partnership of Johnny Crowley and Diarmuid O’Sullivan might come to an end this season, they remain in 2026.

Gerdy O’Mahony – older brother of Cork senior Tim – returns to Newtownshandrum as manager, taking over from Gary Morrissey. He’s joined by Alan G O’Brien, Paul Morrissey and Stephen Young in the management team.

Ger Cunningham has departed from St Finbarr’s after several years in charge of the group, while former Cork camogie boss Paudie Murray takes the reins for the 2026 campaign. Paudie’s brother Kevin takes on the coaching duties.

Kanturk have added former Douglas coach Fergus Ryan as coach for the upcoming campaign, and he joins a setup that retains manager Tom Walsh. Seán Murphy will be their new S&C man, while Kevin Roche also joins the setup.

Vincent Hurley takes over at Ryan’s previous club Douglas, with former Inniscarra manager Ken St Ledger joining his backroom team. Teddy O’Donovan is also involved, too.

Senior A’s beaten finalists Castlelyons will see Ciarán McGann return to the helm for his second spell in charge of the team, replacing Michael Spillane. Noel Furlong has also left his role as coach of the team.

Blarney, the side Castlelyons brought down en route to the final, have also gone for a previous manager as Paul O’Leary returns as Michael Barrett leaves the role. Gavin O’Mahony has also departed his position as coach.

Recently relegated Erin’s Own have their fourth manager in as many years as Brendan O’Riordan takes over from Shay Bowen. A Bishopstown native, O’Riordan has assembled a backroom team that includes former manager Martin Buckley and John O’Brien, while Mark Ferncombe takes over the coaching duties. James McGlade will look after S&C.

Carrigtwohill have retained Denis Walsh as manager and John Dwyer as coach, while Seámus Roche and Declan Collins remain in their selectorial roles.

Na Piarsaigh too have stuck with the same, John Gardiner, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, Christy Connery and manager Mark Mullins all sticking with their roles in 2026.

Killeagh have brought in Ger Scully as manager to replace the outgoing Bryan McCarthy, while Waterford U20 boss James O’Connor takes over the coaching duties. Bernard Rochford, Colin Fogarty and Kieran Lane will be selectors, while Liam O’Reilly takes care of S&C.

Noel Hanley takes charge in Ballyhea – also a fourth manager in as many years ¬– with Limerick native Stephen Walsh coaching the team. Ciaran Breen will oversee S&C with Michael Morrissey and Johnny O’Callaghan as selectors, after Claude Gough and his management group departed.