Kieran Kingston has stepped down as Cork senior hurling manager after only two seasons in charge of the county.
It is understood that he declined an offer from the Cork County Board for a second term as manager and informed them of his decision this morning.
Kingston guided the Rebels to a Munster title this year but his side lost to the 2017 All Ireland runners-up Waterford at the semi-final stage last month.
Ger Lane, the chairman of the Cork County Board released a statement on their website confirming the news:
It’s a huge disappointment to see Kieran leave this position after such huge progress during the two years of his management. The performances of the team throughout the League and Championship were a direct result of Kieran’s input and he has left Cork hurling in a very good place.
Our board had an outstanding relationship with Kieran and his backroom team and we are very sorry to see his departure. Many new players got the opportunity to develop under his management and proved their worth in Championship 2017 only going down to Waterford in the All Ireland Semi Final.
Kieran has laid a very solid foundation and left the team in a very good position and on behalf of all in Cork GAA, I wish to sincerely thank him for his wonderful contribution to Cork hurling.
I would hope Kieran will stay involved in some capacity with Cork but I fully understand the demands on an inter-county manager and I wish him the very best for the future.
Cork supporters will be disappointed to hear the news that Kingston has resigned, having managed to turn around their fortunes this year after a disastrous campaign in 2016 which saw them lose in the Munster quarter-final to Tipperary, and they were knocked out of the All-Ireland qualifiers by Wexford.
