Counihan expected to walk away as Cork manager

After five years in charge of the Cork senior footballers Conor Counihan is expected to walk away from the hotseat.

By Declan Whooley

The man with an uncanny resemblance to Miley from Glenroe will leave the Rebels after leading them to All-Ireland glory two years ago, two Munster titles and three National League successes.

John Cleary is the favourite to replace the Aghada man after working with the Cork U-21’s since 2008, bringing through many of the current crop of senior players. Last season he oversaw the Rebel side that defeated Kerry by 22 points in the 2011 Munster final. The Castlehaven man has won All-Ireland medals as a player with Cork at minor, U-21 and senior level

The new boss will have a nucleus of a strong squad. Aside from goalkeeper Alan Quirke who turns 36 next year, the average age of the Cork team on Sunday was 26.5 compared to 25.4 for Donegal.

Cork County Board chairman Ger Lane would not be drawn on the future of Counihan despite his term being over.

“Conor’s term has now ended but we’re not going to be making any decisions on that now. It’s up to him to decide in his own time” he told reporters.