NEW Carbery football manager Gene O’Donovan feels the division would benefit from being allowed to compete in the unseeded section of the divisions/colleges championship that kicks off in April.

Skibbereen man O’Donovan has succeeded Colm Aherne in the Carbery hot-seat and is hopeful of returning Carbery to winning ways.

Since Carbery won the Tadhg Crowley Cup in 2022, they haven’t won a championship game, losing in the semi-final of the seeded section three years in a row – to Duhallow in 2023 (0-15 to 0-14), and to Muskerry in the last two seasons (1-15 to 1-14 in 2024, and 7-11 to 1-18 in 2025).

As it stands for the 2026 championship, Carbery have again been earmarked for the seeded section semi-finals in June – alongside Duhallow, Muskerry and the unseeded section winner. But O’Donovan believes Carbery should be allowed to compete in the unseeded section, which will be held over three Tuesdays in April.

‘There is a three-game series in April and we want to be part of that,’ O’Donovan told The Southern Star.

‘It is meant for unseeded teams but, as far as we are concerned, we should be unseeded after the heavy loss we had against Muskerry last year.

‘We have applied through our own board to be involved in that section, and it makes sense when you look at the results over the last few years.

‘If we can get into that section, it would get fellas interested very early.

‘The big worry is if teams pull out, and I can understand that concern because we have seen it happen in the last few years. But you have to give the county board credit for facilitating the divisions because they are giving us the opportunity to play senior.’

The prize on offer to divisions is the chance to win the Tadhg Crowley Cup and then play UCC for the golden ticket into the county premier senior football championship at the quarter-final stage. O’Donovan knows the size of the job ahead but the former O’Donovan Rossa manager (2022 to 2024) is energised by the challenge.

‘There is talent in Carbery, a ball of talent,’ he insists.

‘I have a game-plan in my mind that I would love to see us play – all of the management team would be in favour of playing football in that manner, if we can get the players together.

‘I am looking forward to working with these fellas if they come to us. If they want to be seen in the shop window, this is their opportunity. You have to play at the highest level available to you and show what you can do there – and divisional football exposes players to senior football.

‘There is a pathway: your club, your region and your county. That’s the incentive I will give the players – this is your chance to show what you can do.’

Carbery's Aaron Hayes goes past Muskerry's Cillian O'Donovan during the 2025 division/colleges football semi-final that Muskerry won 7-11 to 1-18.

O’Donovan and his management team have a huge pool to select from. Last year’s Carbery panel included some of the division’s top footballers such as Damien Gore (Kilmacabea), Ryan O’Donovan (Barryroe) and Olan Corcoran (St Mary’s). Add in Bantry young guns Dara Sheedy and Mark Óg O’Sullivan, along with Gabriel Rangers brothers Keith and Paddy O’Driscoll, and it’s easy to see why O’Donovan sees potential in Carbery.

Management will be key, and the Carbery boss has assembled a strong backroom team including former Cork minor manager Micheál O’Sullivan (Carbery Rangers), former Cork senior ladies football selector Brian McCarthy (Clann na nGael), as well as Noel Griffin (Kilbrittain), John Dineen (St Colum’s), Sean O’Donovan (Kilmeen) and Michael O’Donovan on stats.

‘It’s a very strong management team full of football men,’ O’Donovan said.

‘John Dineen and Sean O’Donovan know Carbery football inside out – they are part of the furniture. Haulie, Brian and Noel all have their fingers on the pulse too and know what’s needed to be successful, so we are giving players an opportunity to work with some very knowledgeable football men.’

Plans are now being put in place for the season ahead, and entry to the unseeded section would be the ideal starting point for Carbery.