Martin O'Brien steps down after four seasons at Clonakilty helm

Martin O’Brien has stepped down as Clonakilty football manager following four seasons in charge of the West Cork club.

O’Brien took over ahead of the 2023 campaign, succeeding Haulie O’Neill, whose two-year tenure culminated in Clonakilty’s appearance in the 2021 Cork Premier SFC final. 

A former Clonakilty player, O’Brien brought plenty of pedigree to the role, having been part of the club’s Cork SFC-winning side in 2009.

His spell in charge delivered a number of notable championship runs. Clonakilty reached the quarter-finals in each of his first two seasons at the helm, only to come up against the formidable challenge of Nemo Rangers on both occasions.

While the 2025 campaign proved more frustrating, with Clonakilty failing to progress from the group stages, the team responded impressively this season to return to the latter stages of the county championship.

O’Brien guided Clonakilty to the semi-finals, marking the club’s best run in the competition during his time as manager. Their campaign came to an end against defending champions St Finbarr’s. 

Despite that defeat, the season represented a positive step forward for the West Cork outfit, who showed resilience to bounce back from the disappointment of the previous year. 

Over the course of his four seasons in charge, O’Brien oversaw a period of transition within the squad while continuing to keep Clonakilty competitive at the highest level of club football in Cork. 

Reaching the knockout stages in three of his four championship campaigns reflected the consistency achieved during his tenure.

Attention will now turn to identifying O’Brien’s successor as the club prepares for the 2027 campaign.