It’s been a significant weekend for Cork hurling with the county final producing unexpected winners, as the famous Glen Rovers celebrated a first title in 26 years, beating outgoing champions Sarsfields.

It was also announced that Kieran Kingston had been appointed as the new manager of the county seniors in succession to Jimmy Barry-Murphy.

For Diarmuid O’Donovan, the GAA’s senior administrator in Cork, Sunday was a particularly enjoyable occasion as he watched his home club pick up a 26th county championship.

“The Glen played well but in an overall context it was good to see one of the city teams that have made strides at underage come through. Na Piarsaigh were the last city club to win it and that was 11 years ago. Having new county champions isn’t a bad place for a new management to start.”

According to O’Donovan, Kingston’s involvement in Barry-Murphy’s management as coach until stepping down last year will bring one crucial benefit to the Cork job, which has become all the more challenging since the disappointment of this year’s championship exits against Waterford and, more crushingly, Galway.

“It brings continuity to things and that’s important, one of the key things in any organisation. Kieran is well aware of the process. He was part of a management that went as far as it could in 2013 and that’s a big help. He knows what is required at the highest level.

The year out though has lent some distance to Kingston’s perspective and O’Donovan points out that things haven’t stood still either.

“The team has been changing. Only two of the six backs who started the 2013 final started in the win over Clare this July. Even allowing for injuries there has been a fair bit of evolution.”