Cork GAA Discussion Thread

Seadin · 28-08-2025 05:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123762800#Comment_123762800

No he's useless

awaywithyou · 28-08-2025 08:17PM

out of interest and curiosity on my part.. is Donal O'Grady coaching these days..?? i remember in late 2002 Cork turning to him to steer the ship.. does he come into any discussions any more?? he was appointed Cork manager around the same time Jack o'Connor took on Kerry footballers for 1st time.. Jack is at the wheel for the 3rd time… and im wondering what Donal's story is now?

lukin · 29-08-2025 11:11AM

I'd have my doubts about Ben O' Connor. I'm not saying he's stupid or anything but I don't think he's that tactically aware. And that is a lot of the reason Cork haven't won the AI for so long. The sideline have been hopeless tactically, not a clue.

ShamoBuc · 29-08-2025 11:47AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123765365#Comment_123765365

Went to adew of the U20 games once way to winning the All Ireland and I was impressed with how the teams were set up tactically and the changes he made in game.

I can't think of a better person really. He has passion in abundance and not afraid to show it. He will be 'seen' on the sideline and in the dressing room.

lukin · 29-08-2025 12:35PM

I just hope he learns from Pat Ryan's mistakes. I am not knocking Pat Ryan but to completely ignore the positional set-up of the opposing team and just "play your own game" is utter madness. It will only get you so far (i.e. to an All-Ireland final) but to be really successful you must be switched on to what the opposing sideline are doing.

HurlingBoy · 29-08-2025 02:04PM

While Ben O'Connor is the obvious choice he does not have the experience of managing at Senior Inter County Level. Look at Liam Cahill who served his time with Waterford and no doubt the experience of managing Waterford in the Covid All Ireland stood to him big time this year. With the policy of not going for outside manager there is no one else really with Senior Inter County experience. He will need to be given time and if winning a An Ireland next year is the only barometer of success he will be under a lot of pressure.

Large bottle small glass · 29-08-2025 03:40PM

The last couple of Cork managers, are reflected in the character of the team; too **** nice. Tony Kelly's goal last year, the two flicked goals (one disallowed) in this year's final don't happen when you have a full back line with an edge.

There's nothing nice about Ben, much like O'Grady back in Ben's playing time.

He's hard nosed, tough and won't suffer fools.

He'll need to find a few new players but I'd expect Cork to drive on substantially with his appointment. He'll be clearing out some big enough names I'd expect.

DellyBelly · 29-08-2025 04:04PM

The biggest issue he'll face is the expectation in the county. The fans are rabid for success after the last few years of failure. I don't see this Cork team winning an Ireland in the next 2 or 3 years and I really hope the supporters can accept that. But I would be hopeful by 2029 - 2030 after a few years experience under his belt he'll have us winning Liam

ShamoBuc · 29-08-2025 04:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123766453#Comment_123766453

On the other hand, he is coming in fresh, full of vigour and will have his own way of doing things - exactly what the team need having contested the last 2 finals.

Cork are capable of being in the mix every year for the next 3, no reason they won't.

The expectation is going to be there every year, it comes with the job, he knows that only too well and I reckon he has the personality and belief to do well - he certainly won' t be thinking he has to wait till 2030 to win it - he'll target next season and take it from there.

Seadin · 31-08-2025 08:19AM

Thank god Pat is gone. Just wasn't good enough tactically and the too nice approach won't win you All Irelands. Likeable man but hadn't got it when it mattered most and that's what he be remembered for . Let's call it for what it is, to lose two All Irelands in a row and to lose it tactically was enough and didnt deserve another term. The players are the ones that have to do it on the field of play but like the Titanic a bad captain makes it's workers make bad mistakes under pressure. The players just never performed good enough in the two all Irelands he got them to.

I don't know if Ben will land an All Ireland for Cork but he will be ruthless and takes no **** so he deserves at least a chance. Hope he retires Hoggy now along with Lehane Cahalane and Harnedy for starters and a few other "stealth" players who go missing when the pressure is on. Thanks for their services but time waits for no man. Bring in a few new players now is key to freshen things up in the panel.

deisedude · 31-08-2025 08:59PM

Many you have likely seen it already but for those of you that haven't its well worth watching the Ben and Jerry O'Connor episode of Laochra Gael. I think you get a nice insight into Ben's mindset

https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/categories/top-documentaries/play/?pid=6369560563112&title=Ben%20%26%20Jerry%20O%27Connor&series=Laochra%20Gael&genre=Faisneis&pcode=707633

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