Former boss Micheal O'Sullivan backs Ross to deliver in 2016

BY KIERAN McCARTHY 

MICHEÁL O’Sullivan has predicted a bright future for Carbery Rangers senior football team – but he won’t be the man to guide them to glory.

After four years with Ross, O’Sullivan (pictured) has stepped down as manager of the 2014 county senior football finalists as he believes it’s time for a new voice to take charge.

‘They are close. There was the county final in 2014 that didn’t go our way, then we got to the semi-final this year, and small decisions in both went against us,’ O’Sullivan said.

‘Ross are close, there is a very strong group of players there, they are very committed and I can see them going well in 2016. Hopefully, they’ll achieve what they deserve to because they’re good enough.’

In the former Cork midfielder’s four years at the helm, Carbery Rangers contested semi-finals in 2012 and 2015, as well as quarter-final in 2013, and the 2014 county final, as Ross went in search of a first-ever senior football title.

As well as training Ross, O’Sullivan is in charge of Clonakilty Community College senior football team – that is currently preparing for a Corn Uí Mhuirí quarter-final in January – so his hands have been pretty full these last few years.

‘I don’t have the time to give to the team that it needs going forward. I have given the club four years and it’s the right time for someone else to come in to hopefully take Ross that next step,’ said former Ross ace O’Sullivan, who was part of the Cork team that contested the 1999 All-Ireland football final.

‘It’s a big commitment and it’s hard going all year round, between Clonakilty Community College and Ross seniors, so I feel the need for the break.’

Carbery Rangers have not appointed a replacement for O’Sullivan yet. The club has drawn Clyda Rovers in round one of the 2016 Cork SFC.