Newtownshandrum’s Ben O’Connor has been handed the reins of the Cork senior hurling team on a three-year term, as the county looks to end its two-decade wait for All-Ireland success.
O’Connor, a former All-Ireland winning captain in 2004, succeeds Pat Ryan in the role. His backroom team includes Ronan Curran (St Finbarr’s), William Biggane (Newtownshandrum) and Terence McCarthy (Midleton). The trio were part of O’Connor’s management set-up that guided Cork to the 2023 All-Ireland U20 Hurling Championship title, and will now step up to senior level alongside him.
The proposed appointments are due to be confirmed at Tuesday night’s monthly Cork County Board meeting at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, where the full coaching ticket will be revealed and ratified.
In addition to the senior announcement, the Board has also confirmed the incoming minor manager for 2026. That role will be taken by another Newtownshandrum figure, Donal Mulcahy. Captain of Newtown when the club won its first county senior hurling title in 2000.
With O’Connor at the helm and a strong management team in place, Cork supporters will be hoping this new era can finally deliver the long-awaited return to All-Ireland glory.
