Report: Disagreement With County Board Led To Pat Ryan's Cork Exit

There was a general sense of shock with the news emerging from Cork yesterday, with it being announced that Pat Ryan had stepped aside as the senior inter-county hurling manager after three seasons in charge.

Despite back-to-back All-Ireland final defeats, it is difficult to look at Ryan's time in charge of the side as anything other than a huge success. He completely turned around what was a previously rudderless Cork team, transforming them into one of the best in the country.

The nature of this year's final defeat against Tipperary was a difficult one, with the Leesiders giving up a sizeable halftime lead as a result of a disastrous second half display. However, it was expected that Ryan would continue in his role for another term.

Despite this, he has opted not to continue in the position.

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In a statement yesterday, Pat Ryan confirmed that he had been asked to continue as Cork manager for another three-year term. He instead decided that now was the right time to move on.

There has been some speculation as to why the 49-year old opted against another term in charge of the side, although some light has now been shed on the matter.

As reported by Christy O'Connor in The Sunday Times, Pat Ryan would ultimately opt not to continue as the manager of Cork due to a disagreement with the county board over the makeup of his backroom team.

It is said that the county board wanted Ryan to build a new coaching team for his second term after the team's shortcomings in the laster two All-Ireland finals. However, Ryan felt that having his backroom team decided by other parties was something that he could not accept.

The Cork coaching team was largely comprised of figures that had worked alongside Ryan going to his time as the Cork U20 manager, a spell where he led the county to successive All-Ireland titles.

It remains to be seen what direction Cork will go in when appointing their next manager, with some intriguing options available.

In saying that, for Ryan's time with the team in end in such a manner is sure to come as a disappointment to many within the county.