Munster strength and conditioning coach Aidan O'Connell has been appointed as the new High-Performance Manager with Cork.
O'Connell will work with both the Cork footballers and hurlers, with the County Board saying he'll be "responsible for all high-performance matters" and will work alongside the Cork CEO, the GAA staff and team managers "to develop and strengthen strategies relating to player development within the organisation."
The Ballyclough native has worked with Munster since 2004, and with both Leinster Rugby and Yale University before that. O'Connell was part of the Cork backroom staff when the Rebels last won the All Ireland Senior Football Championship in 2010. That victory came in the middle of his four-year spell working with Cork.
Former Munster wing Doug Howlett was part of the group that has overseen O'Connell's appointment with Cork. Also in that group were former inter-county managers Brian Cuthbert and Kieran Kingston, as well as county secretary/CEO Kevin O'Donovan and Cian O'Neill (CIT).
Cork County Chairperson Tracey Kennedy hailed O'Connell's appointment, "I am absolutely delighted that someone of the calibre and experience of Aidan O'Connell is joining the Cork GAA team.
"The position of High Performance Manager will be a vital one in ensuring that we maximise the achievement of our inter-county teams in an increasingly demanding and competitive environment, and Aidan brings a wealth of practical experience to this role, along with a strong GAA background.
"He has come through a rigorous interview process, and we are very lucky to have secured his services. On behalf of Cork County Board, I would like to warmly welcome Aidan to the team and wish him every success in this new role."
Cork say the role of High-Performance Manager is part-funded by Cáirde Chorcaí. The group is a limited company which is independent from the Cork County Board, but donates funds which it feels are "for the betterment of Cork GAA".
