Cork manager Denis Ring pictured ahead of the Bord Gais Energy All Ireland Under 20 Hurling Final.
By Cian O’Connell
Cork Under 20 manager Denis Ring expects Kieran Kingston to return as manager of the Leesiders’ senior inter-county team.
Following John Meyler’s recent decision to step down as Cork boss, Ring believes that Kingston is the ideal replacement.
At a press event ahead of Saturday’s Bord Gais Energy All Ireland Under 20 hurling decider at the LIT Gaelic Grounds, Ring was asked whether he has any interest in the vacancy.
“Not in the least bit, all totally focused on what is in front of me and what is relevant,” Ring replied. “I expect Kieran Kingston will be the manager coming back. I know Kieran has unfinished business with Cork.
“He probably left prematurely, I know he had established a lot of good practices and good systems, put things in place, good people in place. I know it would be positive from that perspective coming back.”
The highly regarded Ring has operated at every level of the game in Cork and continues to derive satisfaction from being involved with various outfits.
Former Cork manager Kieran Kingston pictured with his son, Shane, following the 2018 Bord Gais Energy Munster Under 21 final.
“From my own perspective it is an absolute pleasure to be involved with Cork, a privilege, there is no pressure with it. It is a privilege. This particular bunch are particularly unique. I've never come across anything like them before and I've been involved a long time.
“I'm 33 years coaching and managing. In that time I've had a lot of good experience, won six Hartys, 17 Ryans, three Croke Cups, minor All Irelands, seven Munsters between minor and Under 21, two All Irelands with Thomond, counties with my club, Cloughduv, and more recently, Fermoy.
“I have enjoyed the whole lot of it. There is something different about this group, I've never come across a group like it. After 33 years it is an absolute pleasure to be involved, I really enjoy it to the full extent. This crowd are different, whether they win on Saturday or not.
Ring is adamant that Kingston has the ability to enjoy success with Cork’s nice blend of established and emerging hurlers.
“I expect Kieran will be the manager next year, I think he is excellent,” Ring adds. “As senior manager two years ago with us as minors he was very good, very supportive. I'd have a very good relationship with Kieran and Shane his son was our captain last year (Cork Under 21s).
“So we go back a couple of years now, I think it is exciting times for Cork hurling. I think if it is Kieran he will be inheriting a panel next year that is vastly superior to the panel he inherited four years ago. It is an exciting time from a Cork perspective.”
