Three-time All-Ireland winner Ben O'Connor is set to succeed Pat Ryan as Cork senior hurling manager.
The Newtownshandrum clubman has been proposed for the role by the sub-committee charged with finding a replacement for Ryan, who stepped down last week in the wake of a second successive All-Ireland final defeat.
O'Connor will be ratified at next Tuesday's meeting of the county board.
In a statement released on Thursday evening, Cork GAA said: "Cork GAA is pleased to confirm that Ben O'Connor of Newtownshandrum will be recommended as manager of the Cork senior hurling team on a three-year term for approval at the next Cork County Committee meeting on Tuesday, September 2nd. His selection team will also be confirmed at this meeting."
Cork GAA chairperson Pat Horgan added: "We are delighted that someone of Ben O’Connor’s calibre is available to take up this hugely important position.
"We believe that Ben has all the credentials to build on the wonderful work done by the previous management team, and to lead this talented group of players forward. I wish him every success and I am sure our supporters will get fully behind Ben and his team."
O'Connor led the Cork Under-20s to All-Ireland glory in 2023 before stepping down from the role. Coincidentally, Ryan preceded him in that role also, so Cork fans will be hopeful the two-time All-Star will guide the Rebels to Liam MacCarthy after a 21-year wait.
Before his role with the U20s, he managed Charleville to the county premier intermediate hurling championship. He was a coach with Midleton when they won the senior title in 2021.
As a player O'Connor and his twin brother Jerry were central to Newtownshandrum's revolutionary new style of play, which delivered county titles in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2009. The club added three Munster club titles and an All-Ireland club title in 2004.
The club's possession-based approach influenced the Rebels' during their last period of success, O'Connor captaining Cork to an All-Ireland in 2004, with further Celtic Crosses pocketed in 1999 and 2005.
