Challenge appeals to Cork boss

Paudie Murray

BY KIERAN McCARTHY

THE challenge of winning back-to-back All-Ireland senior camogie titles helped persuade Paudie Murray to remain on as Rebel manager.

The Dunmanway man (pictured), who led Cork to the O’Duffy Cup last season, was contemplating stepping down from his position after three years in charge, but Murray confirmed to The Southern Star that he is staying in the hotseat.

‘I spent a lot of time thinking about it, to be honest. If I listened to my friends they were telling me to get out while on top,’ Murray said.

‘My view is that the challenge this year is probably bigger than what it was last year. To win back-to-back All-Irelands is a challenge that appeals to me.’

Murray has installed a new backroom team for the season ahead. Niall Collins is staying on in stats and video analysis, while Kevin Mulcahy will be the team’s conditioning coach.

An interesting left-of-field choice sees Eoin Kelly, manager of the Tipperary senior camogie team last year, come on board, and Murray describes him as ‘a big asset’.

Sean Cremin, St Finbarr’s, will take over the coaching, while Dr Wesley O’Brien, sports science, is coming on board in an advisory basis.

‘I want to better what we did last year and that’s one of the reasons that it took a while to get a management team in place, and I believe the team we have now is capable of bringing us to the next level this year,’ Murray said.