New Cork senior hurling manager Ben O’Connor says he has spoken to his predecessor Pat Ryan for advice “a good few times” since stepping into the role.

O’Connor’s first game in charge ended in a 2-18 to 2-17 defeat to UCC in the Canon O’Brien Cup yesterday, with William Buckley scoring the late winner for the Cork students against what was an experimental Rebels side.

Speaking after the game at the Mardyke, O’Connor told Clubber TV that he’s been in contact with Ryan on numerous occasions since his appointment at the end of August.

“Pat’s a pure gentleman,” he stated. “I’ve spoken to Pat a good few times since I took on the role here. He’s given me good advice and a few tips here and there about how to get things set up.

“I suppose the first year when Pat came in, they didn’t get out of the group stage in Munster but the next two years were unreal. The only thing, we didn’t get over the line (in an All-Ireland final).”

As for the current panel he’s operating with, O’Connor said that managing the numbers is main focus for now.

“We’ve 46 or 47 in at the moment, so that has to be cut to 36 in a few weeks’ time,” he added.

“Look, it’s the side of it that I don’t like doing, but fellas know when they come in at the start, they know it’s going to be cut to that. They know the story. It’s disappointing but look, that’s what drives fellas on in training as well.”

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