Ray Keane set to take over as Cork U20 football manager

Ray Keane is to be proposed as new Cork U20 football manager at the Cork County Board meeting at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh next Tuesday (2nd), The Echo understands.

The Kerry man, who is now based in Ovens, will succeed Ray O’Mahony at the helm after the latter’s two-year term came to an end following Cork’s Munster final loss to the Kingdom back in April.

Keane is highly regarded as one of the brightest young coaches around and this appointment will be seen as a huge coup for the Leesiders.

The Caherciveen man has a wealth of managerial experience since he hung up his boots after a successful playing career with his club St Mary’s in Kerry.

St Finbarr's manager Ray Keane against Carbery Rangers in 2018. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Keane had been heavily involved in a number of underage teams in Éire Óg before getting involved with St Finbarr’s. He guided the Barrs to the top-flight football championship back in 2018 to end 33 years of hurt.

He joined the Cork senior football backroom team under then manager Keith Ricken in October 2021 before stepping down as a selector early in January of 2023.

Keane took over as manager of Aghabullogue in February 2024 and helped the Muskerry men to the final of the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC where they lost to Kilshannig after a replay.

This season, the team in green and white won the Division 4 league and have won their first two championship Group 1 games and are in a strong position to make the business end.

Cork have struggled at U20 level in recent years with the hope that the imminent appointment of Keane will bring the spark back.

Elsewhere, John Cleary has already been rubber-stamped to remain on as Cork senior football boss for another two seasons with his backroom team expected to be announced also next Tuesday.

The Cork senior football team before playing Meath in January. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

As reported in these pages previously, there will be no major changes with Kevin Walsh remaining on as coach. St Finbarr’s Kevin Murray, a native of Kilmichael in Mid-Cork, is set to join the coaching staff.

There will be no change to the managerial job at minor level with Keith Ricken having another year on his two-year term.

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