Horgan hits out at Cork county board over Pat Ryan departure

Cork manager Pat Ryan with Patrick Horgan ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Former Cork forward Patrick Horgan has criticised the county board over its handling of Pat Ryan’s departure as manager following the 2025 season.

In his new autobiography titled 'Hoggie', which was launched on Thursday, Horgan revealed he contacted Cork GAA chief executive Kevin O’Donovan after hearing reports that players had been targeted for removal from Ryan’s panel.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Oliver Callan Show, Horgan said: “I didn't know the ins and outs of what actually happened until I heard it on the street. Once I started hearing it around the place, I was curious about what was actually said.

“I heard there was 10 [players on the county board hit-list], I put two and two together and thought, 'you're on this list.'

“I wasn't going to let that rest. It says there in the book, I rang Kevin [O'Donovan] and told him what I thought of it. Fierce disappointed.”

The Glen Rovers clubman also defended the players over the absence of an All-Ireland homecoming following their defeat to Tipperary, insisting they had no involvement in the decision.

“The players in Cork - especially the crop that are there now and the team that I know - never, never shirk away from any responsibilities that they have. They're fantastic role models for all the kids in Cork. We had absolutely nothing to do with that," he stated.