Jimmy Barry-Murphy has backed Mark Landers to excel in his new role as Cork hurling coach.

The 1999 All-Ireland winning captain and outgoing Cork minor coach takes over from Kieran Kingston, who was forced to step down after this year's campaign because of work commitments.

"Obviously, it was disappointing Kieran couldn't stay involved because of work and time and all of that," the veteran Cork manager said in the Irish Examiner.

"We had to look at the situation and see who we could get that would be good. I've known Mark a long time, I think he brings a lot to it, I hope he'll be able to do a great job and I think he can do a great job.

"It's a change for us to have someone new coming into the set-up. We had Ger Cunningham, who did a great job, and then Kieran. Both of them and the other three selectors - Johnny Crowley, Seánie McGrath and myself - had been there since the start of 2012. It's different to have a new voice and I think that it's a positive."

JBM is set to give several new players a chance to impress in January's Waterford Crystal Cup.

He explained: "We'll be looking at players coming from the minor set-up and also guys who were on the Cork intermediate team which won the All-Ireland last year.

"As well, there are a number of players who did well with their clubs. Last year, we didn't enter the Waterford Crystal because it clashed with the team holiday but this time we're going to have a team with new players and then some lads who didn't get a lot of game-time last year.

"It'll be a great opportunity for those players to make a claim."

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