McCarthy Insurance Group Divisions 1 and 2 management guide ahead of new season

The seven McCarthy Insurance Group Football Leagues get underway this week on Leeside. 

It has been a busy close season for many clubs in terms of putting together new management teams.

DIVISION 1 

St Finbarr’s: There was an expectation at one stage before Christmas that Brian Roche would step down as manager after two seasons at the helm. He has stayed in situ, so it’s as you were for the reigning league and Premier SFC winners from 2025.

Cork legend Jimmy Barry-Murphy remains a selector in an uninterrupted management team from last year’s successful season.

Knocknagree: John Fintan Daly has been in charge since January 2013. The Duhallow club’s rise has been remarkable going from Junior A in 2017 to Premier Senior after winning the Senior A title last year.

Carbery Rangers: Robbie Ahern is the new manager following Seamus Hayes’ departure following Premier SFC relegation in the last campaign. Former Castletownbere and Cork footballer Donagh Wiseman is the new coach.

Clonakilty: Despite a disappointing Premier SFC last year, Martin O’Brien remains as boss. He’s going into a fourth season at the helm.

Cill na Martra: No change out in Cill na Martra after what was a largely positive 2025 for them. Another solid league season followed by losing the Senior A final to Knocknagree.

Castletownbere native Morgan O’Sullivan is going into his second campaign as boss with Noel O’Leary, Alan O’Regan and Seán Kelleher also part of the management set-up.

Newcestown: Continuity in Newcestown with Jim O’Sullivan looking to build on what was a successful 2025 for his charges. There has been improvement since he took over the job once again before the 2024 season. Mick Hennessy made a big impression on the players last year as coach and is retained.

Éire Óg: Eoin Fehily has been tasked with guiding Éire Óg’s fortunes this year with Newcestown’s Carthach Keane the coach.

Castlehaven: Seanie Cahalane took his time to mull over his future in the close season, deciding in the end to stay on for a third year as boss.

Nemo Rangers: Robbie O’Dwyer was another manager who took time to reflect on his position last year with the Kerry native staying on for a third season in charge.

Douglas: City side made small steps in the right direction last year. Conor Buckley impressed in his first year as manager with Paudie Kissane the coach. That remains unchanged.

DIVISION 2 

Carrigaline: Mick Meaney holds an incredible feat as the only Carrigaline member to have been integrally involved in the club's significant county football victories in 2009, 2015 and most recently in 2024.

It’s no surprise that he’s sticking around as boss for 2026.

Ballincollig: Cork senior football team doctor Aidan Kelleher is the new manager of the Village with Paddy O’Shea remaining on as coach for a second season.

Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh: Former Cork footballer Liam Shorten is going into his second year as boss of his beloved club. There’s no change to his management team from 2025.

Castletownbere: At the time of writing, Castletownbere have no management in place despite Ian Murphy’s departure last September. The players have largely been driving it on themselves in recent weeks.

O’Donovan Rossa: A third manager in three seasons as the West Cork outfit go with Liam Hurley to guide their fortunes for 2026.

Clyda Rovers: It has been a rebuilding job, but Karyn Graham and her management that includes coach Shane Ronayne will look to build on what was a positive season last year.

St Michael’s: It has been a slow process, but the city team have finally a management in place led by manager and coach Hugh Murphy from Kenmare.

Uibh Laoire: John McNulty returns to the post after a successful spell previously as the Muskerry team won the County JAFC and IAFC in the 2020 and 2021 seasons. The new boss has persuaded Niall Allen to remain on as coach for a fourth campaign.

Valley Rovers: An interesting appointment with Fiachra Lynch going with the player-manager role for the new season with the experienced Barry Casey no doubt going to play a big part on the line.

Dohenys: Niall Hurley has succeeded Declan O’Dwyer in the Dohenys hotseat with Ballineen native David O’Donovan part of the management ticket.

In Division 3, Naomh Abán have put together a high-powered management team in their hopes of returning to the senior ranks.

Kerry legends Seamus Moynihan and Pat Flanagan have joined Jimmy Allen’s set-up. Gary McGrath is the new head coach. He has extensive experience in football from representing Kerry at underage and adult levels.