Donal Óg Cusack was ratified as Cork minor hurling manager last night by the Cork County Board alongside new senior hurling manager Kieran Kingston and new U20 hurling manager Pat Ryan. Given his past wars with the Cork County Board and the various controversies he has been involved in after retirement, Cusack's return to the fold in Cork hurling was never going to occur without some complaints being raised. In fact, many people never thought this day would ever come. But if you wanted a sense of just how uncomfortable some people in Cork are with this appointment, just read some of the submissions made by delegates at last night's county board meeting.
Eoghan Cormican of the Examiner was there and captured the robust criticism aired in the direction of the divisive Cloyne man. Cuskack's highly-controversial character reference for Tom Humphries was specifically raised.
“I couldn’t support one of the people named tonight as manager and that is Donal Óg Cusack. That is for one reason and one reason only, for his support for Tom Humphries in a very serious matter,” said John Crean of Muskerry.
County board chairperson Tracey Kennedy replied: “I couldn’t possibly discuss anything like that at a county board meeting.”
Other delegates criticised Cusack for slating Cork hurling a number of times on the Sunday Game over the years and for his defensive tactics Clare employed during Cusack's time as assistant manager (we suggest you read all of Cormican's piece to get a sense of what sounds like a fractious meeting).
Regardless, Cusack was ratified to a two-year term, as was his successor Noel Furlong.
Delighted to have our four new hurling managers, Kieran Kingston, Pat Ryan, Donal Óg Cusack, Noel Furlong and their teams ratified by County Board tonight. Privileged to have so many outstanding people willing to serve our county. Ar aghaidh linn le chéile #RebelsAbú 🔴⚪🔴⚪🔴⚪
— Cork GAA Chairperson (@CorkGAAChair) October 1, 2019
The next two years will certainly be incredibly interesting to watch. Cusack will certainly be the most scrutinised minor manager in the country.
