John Cleary's future as boss dominates Cork football agenda

The Cork County Board have a huge period coming up for them.

They have a few big decisions to make when it comes to the various issues in Cork football.

An important meeting regarding the state of the big ball on Leeside is planned for next Tuesday at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. That has to be the start of Cork football getting back on its feet again. It simply has to be a constructive meeting and not just ticking the box exercise to make it look like something is being done.

The Cork U20 football managerial position is vacant following the end of Ray O’Mahony’s two-year term, but what is most pressing and is dominating the agenda of Cork football fans over the last few days is the future of John Cleary as Cork senior football boss.

The Castlehaven clubman’s three-year term that he signed in the summer of 2022 came to an end last Saturday following the loss to Dublin in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final at Croke Park. He served as interim boss for a few months prior to getting the gig full-time.

A dejected Brian O'Driscoll of Cork after the loss to Dublin last Saturday. Picture: Daire Brennan/Sportsfile

He kept his cards close to his chest when speaking to the media after the 1-19 to 1-16 loss to the Dubs remaining tight-lipped over his future.

Cleary was close to walking away last year following the disappointing loss to Louth at the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final stage, but was persuaded to stay on. If he does want to remain in charge for 2026, it all comes down to whether he has the hunger and drive to go again.

There would be support behind him if he did want to remain as boss next year.

If he isn’t on the sidelines in 2026, Cork’s All-Ireland minor football winning manager back in 2019 Bobbie O’Dwyer could be an option to take over having went for it previously in 2021 before Keith Ricken was chosen.

John Fintan Daly, who has a very successful CV both at inter-county level and club level, has applied for the position on at least three occasions over the years. Could this finally be his time?

Cork's All-Ireland minor football winning manager in 2019 Bobbie O'Dwyer could be a possible replacement if John Cleary departs. Picture: Eóin Noonan

Could one of the selectors in Cleary’s management ticket step up? Micheál Ó Cróinín and Jim O’Donoghue are highly-regarded by the players.

Is it finally time for the Leesiders to go for an outside manager? Something they have never done. The Cork County Board shouldn't be in a position to think that it’s something we don’t do down in Cork in terms of selecting a manager from outside the county.

It should come down to who’s the best candidate for the role. If that’s outside the county, so be it.

The Cork County Board and Cleary will sit down for talks very soon and decide what the future lies for the two-time All-Ireland senior winner in 1989 and 1990. Progress has been made during his time at the helm, Cork are more competitive, fitter and better conditioned.

Cork’s Seán McDonnell moves away from John Small of Dublin. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie

They aren’t too far away from the top teams. There’s a good foundation there for whoever is in charge for the 2026 season.

New blood has been brought in this year with the likes of Seán Brady, Neil Lordan, Seán McDonnell and Seán Walsh all impressing.

The Cork County Board have to get this decision spot on. Do they give Cleary a new term if he wants it or is it time for a new voice? That's what Pat Horgan and co must look at.

It could well be the case that Cleary is the best person at this moment in time.

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