Cork should look to Donal Óg Cusack if they are to replace John Meyler at the helm of Cork hurling, believes journalist Denis Walsh.
There are questions surrounding Meyler's future, following their quarter-final championship exit to Kilkenny yesterday - after which Meyler promised "Cork hurling will be back."
"It was a poor performance overall. Clare just had more energy, more support play and a better work rate" - Cork's John Meyler caught up with @MaireTNC after their loss on Sunday pic.twitter.com/OZJ12uY9Dg
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Walsh believes that there will be pressure on Meyler's job now, particularly on a backdrop of strikes and a downturn in Cork's fortunes on the field.
"He has been in the job now for two years, and it is no secret that he was not the first choice. It is no secret that the players would have preferred somebody else two years ago.
"Depending on which source you believe, he was third, fourth or fifth choice.
"He got the job and would have been seen as someone that Frank Murphy would have had a lot of time for over the years.
"Frank Murphy would have been a big influence on him getting the Cork under-21s job a couple of years ago."
Time for change?
Walsh was not solely negative in his appraisal of Meyler's coaching, but seemed to believe that the time has come for change.
"He did well with the under-21s. He was always going to get it when their first two or three targets didn't want it. He has been around the scene an awful long time - he was involved with the Cork minor time twenty years ago when they won an All Ireland.
"I think there will be a real push for change. I heard Tracey Kennedy - the Cork county board chairperson - on local radio after the match yesterday and she was saying 'Look, it is the end of a two-year term, there will be a review as normal' and they will go through the process.
"I expect that there will be a real clamour for change, which might necessarily happen.
"Cork are not flying down in terms of options in terms of alternatives. Has the Cork county board, and the Cork establishment reached the point where they can say 'Lads - park the strikes' and give the job to Donal Óg Cusack?"
Walsh was keen to play up the positive attributes that Cusack would bring to the role.
"He is the obvious candidate, and he would bring in good guys around him."
"It really is time to move on from the strikes and give the job to a modern, progressive coach - someone like Donal Óg Cusack - who can bring real energy to the whole thing!"
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