FIRST PAST THE POST

BEN O'Connor has been tasked with delivering long-awaited All-Ireland success to Cork hurling after he was recommended for the role yesterday.

- BY MICHAEL SCULLY

In doing so, the Charleville postman will seek to make the Rebels the most hardworking team in next year's championship after their painful near-misses in 2023 and '24 — and, maybe, the toughest too.

O'Connor's name will go forward for ratification as Pat Ryan's successor at a meeting of the Cork county board at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday, after a three-man subcommittee recommended the 46 year old for ratification yesterday afternoon.

The 2021 All-Ireland minor winning manager and current under-20 boss Noel Furlong was seen as O'Connor's main rival for the position but, having got the nod, the new boss will bring his own singular approach to putting Cork back on top.

Through his previous work with Cork's under-20s, and also with Charleville and Midleton at club level, the Newtownshandrum man is renowned as a coach and a manager who demands a very high work-rate from his players.

Will that be the final ingredient this Cork team needs to climb their Everest?