Denis Walsh has been officially unveiled as the new Cork hurling manager and insists he’s “confident” of an amicable working relationship with the panel that was so instrumental in the removal of his predecessor Gerald McCarthy.
The St Catherine's clubman spoke to the media at the Rochestown Park Hotel this afternoon, revealing former Rebels teammate Pat Buckley, Carbury's Gerry Ryan and Pa Finn from St Finbar's as his selectors.
The former dual star inherits a team coming off the back of two wins that steadied the ship after a turbulent start to the season.
"If I don't click with them I will be in trouble but I would be confident. A lot of the guys know me and where I come from and I think that they will be very happy to work with me," he said, before dismissing suggestions he is short on experience.
"I genuinely wouldn't think I'm lacking experience: I've been coaching for over 20 years with different teams here and there.
"Success, maybe sometimes, doesn't measure what you are doing or what experience you can get."
County board chairman Jerry O'Sullivan was also present – along with the three-man selection committee of Jimmy Barry Murphy, Denis Coughlan and John Fenton - and insisted he was happy with the appointment of Walsh.
“I'm genuinely very pleased with the outcome. I would think that every GAA person in Cork is happy today because we've had our difficulties but now I think is a time to look to the future,” he said.
“We've a new manager in with no baggage. He is a very capable guy and I'm sure there are great days ahead for Cork GAA.”
His first task could not be harder, however, with All-Ireland champions and arch-rivals Kilkenny next up for the Rebels at Nowlan Park on Sunday.