Sub-committee set up for Cork under-age managerial appointments

Cork County Board have put in place a sub-committee to deal with impending managerial appointments at U20 and minor levels.

At Tuesday night’s monthly meeting at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, it was announced chairperson Pat Horgan, vice-chairperson Noel O’Callaghan, secretary/CEO Kevin O’Donovan and high-performance manager Aidan O’Connell would be charged with proposing names for approval.

Keith Ricken, who last week led the county to a first Electric Ireland All-Ireland MHC title since 2019, had been appointed on a two-year term at the beginning of 2025.

This was an unusual development in recent times – while Ricken had progressed through the Rebel Óg age-groups with the players, the general practice has been for a management to advance along with the panel and then just spend a year at minor.

The footballers’ success, with Ricken and his backroom benefiting from the two-year stint, may lead to a change in thinking going forward.

Donal Mulcahy of Newtownshandrum led the minor hurlers to an All-Ireland semi-final this year, while Carrigtwohill’s Noel Furlong was in charge of the U20 side, the second of his two years bringing a similar yield to the first – a second-placed finish in Munster and a narrow semi-final defeat to Clare.

At the meeting, Ricken and successful minor captain Joe Miskella received rapturous ovations as they spoke before presenting the Tommy Markham Cup to the board, as per tradition, while the senior hurling defeat to Galway naturally drew a strong reaction.

One reaction proposed a comprehensive review of hurling in the county, similar to one undertaken in football last year. As the inter-county season has now ended, the board responded that all elements of the campaigns will be examined.

Meanwhile, details for the One Cork Worldwide fundraising golf classics have been confirmed. There are three events: at Fota Island on August 12, Powerscourt on August 27 and Old Head Golf Links on October 22.