Is it time to look outside for the answer?

While Cork chairman Ger Lane didn't rule anything in or out, it would be a huge surprise if the county were to plump for a manager not from the county. Here are some ‘outside chances', in both senses of the word.

By Denis Hurley

Jack O'Connor

The name thrown out most often when the idea of a non-native Cork senior football manager is raised, though with no indication as to whether or not he would be in any way willing to take on the role. The consensus is that he would ‘knock them into shape'.

Assuming that the county board would be interested in spiriting him over the county boards, the notion of it happening this time round suffers due to the fact that at the weekend he was ratified as Kerry U20 boss for the next two years.

Far more likely to replace Eamonn Fitzmaurice as senior manager than come to Cork.

 

Tomás Ó Sé

A very popular name in a Twitter and text poll carried out by RedFM on Saturday and Sunday in the wake of Peadar Sheehy's departure, but his candidature would surely fall down on the lack of managerial experience bar working with the UCC freshers side.

While it might be fun to see how he'd do, given how vocal he has been in criticising the efforts of the Cork players, it would be a massive risk.

On The Sunday Game, he championed Billy Morgan's candidature – if that long shot were to come to pass, then perhaps the Gaeltacht man might be a selector with his Nemo clubmate.

 

Tony McEntee

Led a dynamic and exciting Crossmaglen Rangers team to back-to-back All-Ireland titles in 2011 and '12 – matching the club's achievements of 1999 and 2000, with St Finbarr's the last other club to do it, in 1980 and '81.

A series of insightful newspaper columns pointed to a deep understanding of the game and, upon taking the Mayo job in late 2015, Stephen Rochford made the Armagh man part of his ticket.

The feedback since then has been positive and one would imagine that it is only a matter of time before he does take a top job.

 

Cian O'Neill

Made a strong name for himself as the physical trainer on the Tipperary team which won the 2010 All-Ireland SHC, before a tenure as the Mayo football coach. Next stop was Kerry, where he was also a selector as Eamonn Fitzmaurice led his side to the 2014 All-Ireland title.

While there are many who function well as backroom operators and then can't deal with the pressure of being the number one, he has brought about an improvement in Kildare's fortunes since becoming Lilywhites manager.

Led the team to promotion this year and could yet guide them to the All-Ireland quarter-finals and beyond. Cork candidature is boosted by the fact that he works in CIT.

 

Anthony Cunningham

While his time as Galway senior hurling manager ended in dispute with the players, there were some successes and he also has a good track record as a football manager.

Won three Roscommon SFC titles in a row, and one Connacht championship, between 2005 and '07 with St Brigid's and then took up with Westmeath's Garrycastle in 2009.

The club won county titles in each of his first three years, and in 2011-12 they became Leinster champions. While they drew with Crossmaglen in the All-Ireland final, they lost the replay.