Former winning captain of Kanturk takes over their football team

Eoghain O’Connor has been appointed Kanturk Senior A football manager for the 2025 season.

O'Connor's impressive career as a dual player, coupled with his leadership qualities, makes him the perfect choice to lead the team into the future.

One of the highlights of O’Connor’s playing career was captaining Kanturk to County JAFC glory in 2011 where he played centre-back in a hard-fought victory over Mitchelstown in the final. Before that, they won the Duhallow crown after beating Rockchapel.

Grantas Bucinskas in action for Kanturk in the SAFC. Picture: Dan Linehan

The new boss went on to appear in an impressive eight county finals across both codes after that. He was part of the panel that won the IFC and PIFC in 2017 and 2022 respectively.

In what will be O’Connor’s first major managerial role, he takes over from Pádraig Kearns, who did a brilliant job while at the helm.

The head coach is also a former player of the club in the shape of Kyrle Holland. He was previously a strength and conditioning coach with Knocknagree for a few years.

Kanturk have lost to the last two winners in the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC in the shape of Newcestown and Carrigaline in the quarter-final and semi-final respectively. On both occasions, Kanturk have been on the wrong end of a penalty shoot-out.

In their championship group stage this season, Kanturk will take on Éire Óg, last year’s PIFC winners Kilshannig and Newmarket.

In what is always a very competitive grade, Kanturk will be expected to go very deep into the championship. Being a thriving dual club hasn’t hindered their progress in recent years. After going so close in the last couple of campaigns, the enlisting of O’Connor might well prove to be a shrewd move by the club. Kanturk hurlers are a Premier Senior outfit with both codes dovetailing well in recent years.

Kanturk's Colin Walsh looking to break the tackle of Seán Shanahan of Fermoy. Picture: Dan Linehan

Before they worry about the championship, Kanturk will compete in the second tier of the McCarthy Insurance Group football league after finishing in the promotion positions in Division 3 last year before going on to win the title. They defeated Castletownbere in the final.

O’Connor’s first competitive game in charge will be away to Dohenys on Friday, February 28 at 8pm.

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