JIMMY BARRY-MURPHY has stepped down as Cork senior hurling manager after four seasons in charge.
The Cork legend has brought his second term in charge of the county senior hurling team to an end in the wake of their recent All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Galway.
The decision was announced in an official statement on the Cork GAA website tonight.
There had been speculation over Barry-Murphy’s future in the wake of that loss to the Tribesmen.
The 1999 All-Ireland winning boss returned to the helm before the 2012 season where Cork reached the All-Ireland semi-final before losing out to Galway.
In 2013 he came close to claiming All-Ireland glory but Cork lost the final replay to Clare.
Last summer Cork lifted the Munster senior hurling title against Limerick but lost out to Tipperary at the All-Ireland semi-final stage.
This season Cork’s Munster championship hopes were extinguished by Waterford and then they bowed out of the All-Ireland series against Galway.
“I have given a great deal of thought to Cork hurling since the defeat by Galway in the All-Ireland Quarter-final, and I now feel that the time is right for me to step down as manager.
“I want to sincerely thank the players, selectors, backroom support team and County Board for all their efforts in the last four years.
“I also want to thank our loyal supporters who always travelled in huge numbers in tough economic times to support us.
“I know that Cork will continue to challenge for major honours in the years ahead. I wish everyone the very best next year and in the years to come.”
County chairman Ger Lane said that Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s contribution to Cork GAA had been immense.
“As a player, Jimmy’s achievements go right back to his first All-Ireland title with the Cork Senior footballers in 1973, and he became one of the greatest dual players to ever grace the game.
“During his initial stint as Cork Senior Manager, he delivered Cork’s first All-Ireland Hurling title in 9 years, and on his return, he guided the County to an All-Ireland Hurling Final and to a first Munster title since 2008.
“He is a true legend and an iconic figure in Cork GAA, and we thank him most sincerely for all that he has done for our association in over 40 years.
“While we are very sorry to lose him, we have to accept his decision and wish him all the very best in the future.”
County Secretary Frank Murphy said Jimmy Barry-Murphy “has been an outstanding ambassador for our games and the association and has given tremendous service to the county on and off the field.
“The Board acknowledges his unstinting efforts with the county teams over the past four years in his second term as manager.
“He has earned the utmost respect not alone in his own county but throughout Ireland and abroad as the consummate gentleman.
“We wish him well in his future endeavours and thank him for his loyalty and inspiring leadership”.
