New Cork hurling manager Kieran Kingston hasn't wasted any time in starting preparations for 2016.

It was revealed on Saturday that the Tracton clubman would be replacing Jimmy Barry-Murphy and he told The Evening Echo: "Firstly, I am honoured to have been selected by the appointments committee.

"It's a big task and there's going to be a lot of work involved but it's one I am looking forward to embracing.

"I was privileged to have worked alongside Jimmy Barry-Murphy for a couple of years and I think I learned quite a bit from that experience.

"Taking over the management of any intercounty team is a great challenge  and I am delighted to say that I have secured the services of Pat Hartnett from Midleton to work with me as a selector.

"Pat was a great Midleton and Cork hurler, he's a fierce hurling man and he will bring a lot of expertise with him from his time with Midleton and various Cork teams.

"I am in discussion with a number of other individuals with regard to coming on board and putting the full backroom team in place and that will be completed in the next week or two.''

The draw for next year's Munster SHC will take place later this week and the Rebel boss added: "Yes, we'll know very soon who we'll be playing next Summer but whoever it is, it won't be easy but we'll look forward to that when the time comes.

"The work has already started for myself. I was at the two county finals last Sunday and there's three more to come in the coming weeks with the under-21, junior and intermediate  finals to be played.

"You'd be hoping that a number of players might put up their hand in those games and give us some food for thought.''

The two-time All-Ireland winner concluded: "The players have always given me wonderful support and we'll be all in this together when the time comes.

"Over the coming weeks too I'll be putting together a squad with the help of the selectors when they are finalised and we'll start building towards the start of the NHL in February.

"That will be a tough campaign because I believe we'll have three matches away and just two at home so we must be ready for that.''

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