Counihan commits to the Rebels

GAA:Conor Counihan will remain as manager of Cork's All-Ireland winning footballers for at least another two years. The Cork county board, who were eager to keep Counihan on the management ticket, confirmed his decision this morning.

Counihan, who had been afforded the freedom to shake up his backroom team if he so wished, has retained the services of selectors of Peadar Healy,Terry O'Neill, Ger O'Sullivan and Jim Nolan.

In the past, it has been the practice for managers of Cork sides that won All-Irelands to be offered just one extra year in charge.

However, in a show of their support for the manager, Counihan was offered a two-year deal by the board last week and has moved swiftly to end any speculation over his future.

“The Cork county board is pleased to announce that Conor Counihan has accepted the new two-year term as Cork senior football manager,” the board announced in a statement this morning. “He will retain his current selection committee of Peadar Healy,Terry O'Neill, Ger O'Sullivan and Jim Nolan.”

The 51-year-old from Aghada took over from Teddy Holland at the start of 2008 as Cork sought a first All-Ireland title since 1990. Counihan guided the Rebels to the semi-finals in 2008 and the final itself 12 months later but fell to Kerry on both occasions.

But this year was to be different, as Cork finally landed the Sam Maguire after a one point win over Down in last month’s decider.

There had been fears on Leeside that Counihan could follow the example of Liam Sheedy, who stepped down in the wake of Tipperary’s triumph in the hurling final, but Counihan has wasted no time in accepting the offer of another two seasons at the helm.

Counihan’s decision leaves Meath as the only county currently without a manger as they continue the process of finding a replacement for football manager Eamonn O’Brien. O’Brien was removed from his position at the start of September.