GAA:THE FINAL chapter in the long-running Cork hurling saga closed last night when former county dual-star Denis Walsh was announced as the new senior manager. Walsh was the choice of the three-man selection committee appointed to find a permanent successor to Gerald McCarthy, who resigned just over a fortnight ago as a result of the ongoing stand-off with the 2008 panel.
He will formally take up duties next Monday, while the interim manager, John Considine, will once again oversee this Sunday’s National League clash with Limerick. The exact details of Walsh’s appointment have yet to be revealed but it is understood he is being given a two-year term.
One of the rare dual All-Ireland winners in football and hurling, Walsh brings some lengthy credentials to the job, although he has limited previous county management experience. While he has managed his club team St Catherine’s at various levels, his only county experience was a few years back with the Waterford senior football team.
His playing career, however, was hugely impressive. Originally from Ballymoe, outside Midleton, he first won three successive All-Ireland under-21 football championship medals with Cork – from 1984-86. He then played at left half back on the Cork senior hurling team that won the 1986 All-Ireland and played at full back on the 1990 winning team.
In 1987, he also played at left corner back on the Cork senior football team that lost the All-Ireland final to Meath, and played again in the drawn final of 1988. After that, Walsh was a non-playing substitute in Cork’s All-Ireland football success in 1989, and a panel member in the All-Ireland winning team of 1990 – thus winning senior All-Ireland medals in both codes that year, although only playing in the hurling final.
The three-man selection committee comprised former county stars Jimmy Barry-Murphy, John Fenton and Denis Coughlan, who acted as the chairman.
Other candidates included former All-Ireland winning captain Tomas Mulcahy and former goalkeeper Ger Cunningham.
Walsh will stage his first press conference as manager in the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork next Monday and take charge of his first game against Kilkenny, on April 5th.
In the meantime, Considine has announced his team to play Limerick on Sunday. Seán Óg Ó hAilpín returns after missing the Clare game with a hamstring injury, starting at his familiar left half back position, while up front, Jerry O’Connor also returns to action. Having made a telling impact the last day as substitutes, Kieran Murphy of Erins Own and Paudie O’Sullivan of Cloyne also get a starting place.
Pa Cronin and Neil Ronan are among those dropping to the bench, while Diarmuid O’Sullivan is still not part of the substitutes despite making a return to club action. Niall McCarthy is tonight due before the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee in an effort to reduce the four-week suspension imposed after his straight red card last Sunday.
Timmy McCarthy has indicated his desire to return to the panel in the near future.
Dublin football manager Pat Gilroy has given starting places to three of the Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland winning club side for Sunday’s league showdown against Kerry. Paul Griffin, Darren Magee and Mark Davoren are all in the starting 15 as part of the six changes in total from the team that drew with Mayo last Sunday.
Sunday’s game is the first senior start for Davoren. Stephen Cluxton returns in goal in place of Michael Savage, while Griffin replaces Barry Cahill in the half back line. Magee comes into midfield for Ciaran Whelan, while Declan Lally makes way for Paul Flynn at left half forward.
There are two changes in the full forward line where Davoren and Paddy Andrews replace Blaine Kelly and Bernard Brogan. Kelly and Whelan are both being rested, while Brogan has a minor knee injury. Alan Brogan continues his recovery, while Eamonn Fennell and Colin Moran are unavailable.
It now appears Rory O’Carroll will concentrate on football for the time being, while his brother Ross stays with the hurling.
CORK (SH v Limerick):D Óg Cusack; S O'Neill, E Cadogen, C O'Sullivan; J Gardiner, R Curran, S Óg Ó hAilpin; T Kenny, C Naughton; B O'Connor, K Murphy (Erins Own), J O'Connor; P Horgan, K Murphy (Sars), P O'Sullivan.
DUBLIN (SF v Kerry):S Cluxton; D Henry, D Bastick, A Hubbard; B Cullen, P Griffin, G Brennan; D Magee, R McConnell; D Connolly, K Bonner, P Flynn; C Keaney, M Davoren, P Andrews.
CORK (SF v Monaghan):A Quirke; K O'Connor, R Carey, A Lynch; G Spillane, N O'Leary, M Shields; A O'Connor, N Murphy; C McCarthy, P O'Neill, P O'Flynn; D Goulding, D O'Connor, P Kerrigan.
