A former Cork footballer is the new manager of Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh

Liam Shorten has taken a big step into management with the former Cork footballer taking the reins of his beloved Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh.

Shorten takes over the Muskerry side after 20 years playing for Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh’s first team.

The deputy principal in Coláiste Chríost Rí has succeeded Johnny Crowley at the helm after the Glenflesk native left his position after just one season in charge.

Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh failed to get out of their group in the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC this year, losing to eventual winners Carrigaline and Cill na Martra with a win over Kiskeam sandwiched between those defeats.

Since the restructuring of the championship in 2020, Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh have only made one semi-final appearance which was in 2021 under Denis Reen, with the latter guiding Kilshannig to Cork PIFC glory this year.

The former Cork footballer is a popular choice for the role and given he knows the players inside out, it will give him an advantage in what will be an unforgiving championship. The draws for the 2025 SAFC group stage will take place on Tuesday week at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Joining Shorten on the management ticket will be Shane Dineen and Andy Concannon. The Muskerry side last won a county title at first team level 18 years ago when they won the IFC.

Liam Shorten in action for Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh against Bandon in 2022. Picture: Martin Walsh

Staying in the SAFC grade, O’Donovan Rossa will have a new manager patrolling the sidelines next year after Gene O’Donovan stepped down as bainisteoir.

The vastly experienced boss took over before the 2022 season and while it was a difficult few years in charge, the work done should pay dividends in the coming years. O’Donovan’s hands were slightly tied with injuries dominating the agenda during his time at the helm.

He enjoyed a very successful coaching career with a variety of different teams such as Goleen, the Carbery divisional side and various Cork underage football squads. During his three years in charge of O’Donovan Rossa, they reached the semi-finals in 2022 where they lost to eventual winners St Michael’s.

In 2023 and 2024, the Skibbereen-based outfit were unable to qualify out of their respective group.

O’Donovan’s replacement is Gene Hourihane, a well-known figure in the club.

The new boss was part of the O’Donovan Rossa U21 management this year and had been involved with underage teams in the club for many years so he will have a good understanding of the group of players he is inheriting.

O'Donovan Rossa's Jamie Shanahan holds off Fermoy's James Molloy in 2023. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

His son, Dylan Hourihane Snr, is a key player on the team. The coach will be Shane Crowley. The latter previously managed O’Donovan Rossa in 2015 and 2016, guiding the team in red and white to the last four of the Cork SFC and winning the Kelleher Shield trophy (Division 1 football league) in his first year.

The rest of the management group hasn’t been finalised yet.

The West Cork team last competed in the top tier of the Cork football championship in 2019, which was the last year of the old structure before the regrading with the group format introduced for the 2020 campaign.

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