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Rebel Search: Who'll take over from Counihan as Cork boss?

The hunt is on for a new manager after last Saturday’s loss to Dublin.

ONE ALL-IRELAND title, three Munster crowns, four National League triumphs and three McGrath Cups.

That’s the hoard of silverware accumulated by Conor Counihan in his time as Cork senior football manager before he brought his six season tenure to an end after last Saturday’s loss to Dublin.

The process to fill the void created by Counihan’s departure will begin at a county board meeting next Tuesday night.

But who are the likely contenders?

Brian Cuthbert

The Bishopstown club man has been involved as a Cork senior selector since the start of this season when he was drafted in by Counihan. Before that he was a well-regarded figure on the Cork club scene and had been at the helm of his club’s senior football side.

His inter-county management credentials were affirmed with the Cork minor side that he guided to the 2010 All-Ireland final where they were narrowly beaten by Tyrone. Thomas Clancy, Damien Cahalane, John O’Rourke and Brian Hurley all graduated from that minor side to start for the county seniors this summer.

Brian Cuthbert
Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

John Cleary

Cleary has worked with the bulk of the current squad at U21 level and has a wealth of coaching experience. A former senior All-Ireland winner with the county himself, he was a selector when a Cork side that featured the likes of Michael Shields and Daniel Goulding won the All-Ireland U21 title in 2007.

He managed the Cork team that won the All-Ireland U21 final in 2009 with Aidan Walsh and Ciaran Sheehan on board. And he won eight Munster U21 titles – four as a manager and four as a selector.

Cleary would have had an insight into the current senior squad as he consulted regularly with Counihan in their two roles while at club level he was involved with his native Castlehaven who won last year’s Cork senior title.

John Cleary
Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

Ronan McCarthy

McCarthy was a regular in defence during Larry Tompkins’ reign in charge of the Cork senior footballers and was part of the team that reached the 1999 All-Ireland final against Meath.

In 2008, he steered an unfancied Douglas team to the Cork county final but they suffered defeat against Nemo Rangers. Came on board as a Cork selector this year after Counihan shook up his management team last October.

Ronan McCarthy
Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

Ephie Fitzgerald

Fitzgerald has been in charge of the Cork minor footballers for the last two seasons. It’s been a frustrating tenure as they bowed out at the Munster semi-final stage with defeats to Tipperary in both campaigns.

Before that he was a renowned club coach with his native Nemo Rangers. He guided them to four consecutive titles from 2005-2008, won the 2005 Munster title against Clare side St Senan’s and the 2007 Munster crown against Waterford outfit Ballinacourty.

Their efforts to land the All-Ireland title fell short though with a final defeat to Dublin team St Vincent’s in 2008. In 2011 Fitzgerald was coach to the Limerick senior footballers alongside manager Maurice Horan as they reached the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Ephie Fitzgerald
Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

Tony Leahy

The 2007 All-Ireland U21 winning Cork manager, Leahy claimed glory that year in the final against Laois in Semple Stadium. He worked there with a group of players that are likely to become the experienced core of the squad if there are retirements amongst Cork’s over-30′s brigade this winter.

Leahy has been involved in club management since then with his native St Finbarr’s who contested Cork senior deciders in 2009 and 2010, and intermediate side Cill na Marta, the club of Cork defender Noel O’Leary.

Tony Leahy
Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

Who do you think will be the next Cork senior football manager? Let us know in the comments section below.

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