John Cleary Stays On: Two Extra Years on the Helm for Cork Boss

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🔴 John Cleary Stays On: Two Extra Years on the Helm for Cork Boss

John Cleary will stay in control of the Cork senior footballers for at the very least two extra seasons after receiving unanimous backing from the county board on Tuesday evening.

The Castlehaven man has been handed a two-year extension following the tip of his preliminary three-year time period, which concluded with Cork’s exit from the 2025 All-Eire Championship by the hands of Dublin in June.

Cleary initially stepped in on an interim foundation in 2022, taking up from Keith Ricken. He was quickly confirmed as full-time supervisor and has since overseen regular progress — together with back-to-back appearances within the All-Eire quarter-final sequence.

⚔️ Slim Exits, However Indicators of Progress

Whereas Cork’s 2024 and 2025 seasons each ended on the preliminary quarter-final stage, they confirmed promising indicators — notably main Dublin at half-time this summer season earlier than the All-Eire champions pulled away after the break.

In 2024, the Rebels suffered a shock defeat to Louth, whereas 2023 noticed them attain the final eight earlier than shedding to Derry. Cleary’s tenure has introduced consistency, however expectations are rising amongst Cork supporters on the lookout for a return to former glories.

📈 Eyes on Division 1 Return

Promotion from Division 2 shall be prime of Cleary’s to-do record in 2026. Cork have flirted with a return to Division 1 lately however have lacked the consistency to seal the deal. That might want to change if they’re to problem the nation’s elite extra frequently.

There’s added motivation now too: underneath a brand new Munster Championship seeding system, the highest two finishers within the earlier yr’s Allianz Soccer League are stored aside within the provincial draw. Which means Cork and Kerry — the 2 most adorned counties in Munster — will keep away from one another till a possible closing, supplied each reside as much as expectations.

Kerry: Division 1 champions in 2025

Cork: Completed fifth in Division 2

Clare: third in Division 3 — subsequent finest Munster facet

🎯 Cleary’s Mission

Now getting into his fourth full season, Cleary will intention to bridge the hole between Cork and the nation’s top-tier sides. With a proficient group rising and a few main underage success lately, Rebels supporters will hope the foundations at the moment are in place for a long-overdue breakthrough.