Ballinhassig’s Niall O’Halloran confirmed as Ben O’Connor’s Cork senior hurling coach

Ballinhassig’s Niall O’Halloran has been confirmed as Ben O’Connor’s choice as Cork senior hurling coach.

O’Halloran will join a management team featuring manager O’Connor’s previous U20 selectors two-time All-Ireland SHC winner Ronan Curran, Terence McCarthy and William Biggane.

The trio served as O’Connor’s assistants when they led the county to under-age All-Ireland success two years ago.

O’Halloran was the county’s minor coach during John Considine’s time in charge in 2018 and has since enjoyed county success managing and coaching the likes of Fr O’Neills and Lisgoold in recent seasons and before that Éire Óg.

O’Connor’s term as manager is three years and Cork will begin the defence of their Munster title away to All-Ireland champions Tipperary in FBD Semple Stadium in mid-April.

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O’Connor’s Newtownshandrum club-mate and 2000 senior championship-winning captain Donal Mulcahy will take over from Fergal McCormack as minor hurling manager in 2026.

Going back to 2020, Cork have appointed minor hurling managers on one-year terms. Dónal Óg Cusack, the first of them, continues as coach to Noel Furlong with the U20s for a second season. Furlong was minor manager in 2021.

Football-wise, former Galway and Sligo boss Kevin Walsh will for a fourth season work as senior coach with manager John Cleary. As previously reported, Kevin Murray of St Finbarrs is on board as coach/selector as ex-Cork and Antrim footballer James Loughrey steps away after four years of managerial involvement.

Ray Keane, as had been expected, will be the new U20 football manager and the domiciled Kerry native will be able to call on 2010 All-Ireland SFC winner Paul Kerrigan as one of his selectors.

Former senior manager Keith Ricken is at the helm of the minor footballers for a second year in 2026.

Senior hurling (3-year term)

Manager: Ben O’Connor (Newtownshandrum).

Selectors: Ronan Curran (St Finbarrs); Terence McCarthy (Midleton); William Biggane (Newtownshandrum).

Coach: Niall O’Halloran (Ballinhassig).

Senior football (2-year term)

Manager: John Cleary (Castlehaven).

Selectors: Micheál Ó Cróinín (Naomh Abán); Jim O’Donoghue (St Finbarrs); Barry Corkery (Éire Óg). Coach/selector: Kevin Murray, (St Finbarrs).

Coach: Kevin Walsh (Killannin. Galway).

U20 football (2-year term)

Manager: Ray Keane (Éire Óg).

Coach/selectors: Paul Kerrigan (Nemo Rangers); Kevin O’Sullivan (Cill na Martra); Enda Kiernan (Aghabullogue/MTU).

Minor hurling (1-year term)

Manager : Donal Mulcahy (Newtownshandrum).

Selectors: Jason Barrett (Carrigtwohill); John Kingston (Tracton); Peter Kelly (Erin’s Own).

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