Kieran Kingston
Kieran Kingston (born 9 September 1964) is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He was the manager of the Cork senior team from 2015 to 2017.[1][2][3]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Ciarán Mac Clochaire | ||
| Sport | Hurling | ||
| Position | Right corner-forward | ||
| Born |
9 September 1964 Fountainstown, County Cork, Ireland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||
| Occupation | Bank official | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
1982-1999 |
Tracton Carrigdhoun | ||
| Club titles | |||
| Cork titles | 0 | ||
| Inter-county(ies)* | |||
| Years | County | Apps (scores) | |
1984-1990 | Cork | 9 (4-03) | |
| Inter-county titles | |||
| Munster titles | 3 | ||
| All-Irelands | 2 | ||
| NHL | 0 | ||
| All Stars | 0 | ||
| *Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 14:12, 22 November 2015. | |||
Born in Minane Bridge, County Cork, Kingston was introduced to hurling in his youth. He first came to prominence at colleges level with St Finbarr's College while simultaneously enjoying some successes at underage levels with the Tracton club. A divisional championship medallist in the junior grade, Kingston was also a one-time championship medallist in the intermediate grade.
Kingston made his debut on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty when he first linked up with the Cork under-21 team. He enjoyed little success in this grade. Kingston made his senior debut during the 1984-85 National Hurling League. He went on to play a bit part for Cork in defence and midfield, and won one All-Ireland medal on the field of play.
After being involved in team management and coaching in all grades at club level with Tracton, Kingston served as coach and selector with the Cork senior team under Jimmy Barry-Murphy. It was announced that he would be the new Cork senior hurling team manager on 10 October 2015.
Playing career
Tracton
Kingston joined the Tracton club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels before eventually joining the club's top adult team in the Cork Intermediate Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 22 May 1982 when he lined out at right wing-forward in a 5-04 to 1-13 defeat by Inniscarra.
On 23 September 1990, Kingston was selected at centre-forward when Tracton faced St. Finbarr's in the final of the Cork Intermediate Championship. He scored two points from play but ended the game on the losing side following a 1-08 to 0-10 defeat.
Tracton qualified for a second successive Cork Intermediate Championship final on 24 August 1991, with Kingston lining out at left corner-forward. He scored 1-02 from play, including a last-minute goal, and collected a winners' medal following the 4-14 to 5-09 victory.[4]
Cork
Having never played minor hurling, Kingston first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork under-21 hurling team. He made his debut in a drawn game against Waterford on 20 April 1983, however, he enjoyed little success during his two seasons on the panel.
Kingston made his senior debut for Cork in a National Hurling League game against Offaly in 1984 and was a regular during that campaign. He made his championship debut against Galway in a 4-12 to 5-5 All-Ireland semi-final defeat on 4 August 1985.
In 1986 Cork reached the All-Ireland final with Galway providing the opposition. Kingston, who had played no part in the championship up that point was introduced as a substitute. The men from the west were the red-hot favourites against a Cork team in decline, however, on the day a different story unfolded. Four Cork goals, one from John Fenton, two from Tomás Mulcahy and one from Kevin Hennessy, stymied the Galway attack and helped "the Rebels" to a 4-13 to 2-15 victory.[5] The win gave Kingston an All-Ireland medal.
Kingston was a regular member of the starting fifteen over the next three seasons, however, Cork faced early exits from the championship. He left the panel after the 1989 championship.
Managerial career
Tracton
Kingston has been heavily involved in coaching at all levels with Tracton over many years. In 2010 he was manager of the club's top team as Tracton reached the final of the intermediate championship. Ballymartle were the winners on that occasion on a scoreline of 2-13 to 0-11.
Cork
Selector and coach
On 1 September 2011, Kingston was one of four selectors named by new Cork senior hurling team manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy.[6] His first season as part of the management team saw Cork qualify for the National League final on 6 May 2012, with the team suffering a 3-21 to 0-16 defeat by Kilkenny.[7]
During Kingston's second season as a selector he helped guide the team to the Munster final on 14 July 2013, however, Cork suffered a 0-24 to 0-15 defeat by Limerick.[8] On 8 September 2013, Cork drew 3-16 to 0-25 with Clare in their first All-Ireland final appearance in seven years.[9] The replay on 28 September 2018 saw Cork suffered a 5-16 to 3-16 defeat.[10]
Kingston was appointed coach of the team for the 2014 season while also retaining his role as a selector. On 13 July 2014, Cork enjoyed their first Munster Championship success in eight years when they defeated Limerick by 2-14 to 0-14 in the final.[11] Kingston stepped down as coach and selector at the end of the season citing work commitments.[12]
Manager
On 10 October 2015, Kingston returned to the Cork senior team as Jimmy Barry-Murphy's successor as manager.[13] His first season at the helm saw Cork exit the championship after suffering their first defeat by Wexford in 60 years.[14]
Kingston's second season saw more prominent roles for new players Shane Kingston, Mark Coleman and Darragh Fitzgibbon.[15] On 9 July 2017, he guided Cork to the Munster Championship title after a 1-25 to 1-20 defeat of Clare in the final.[16] Kingston stepped down as manager at the end of the season after declining an offer of a second term in charge.[17][18]
Return as manager
On 1 October 2019, Kingston was ratified as manager of the Cork senior team for the second time.
Career statistics
Honours
Player
- Tracton
- Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship (1): 1991
- Cork
References
- "Kingston appointment confirmed". Hogan Stand. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
- Moynihan, Michael (13 October 2015). "Kieran Kingston relishing Cork role". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
- Woods, Mark (11 October 2015). "Kieran Kingston named as new Cork senior hurling manager". Irish Times. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
- "Club Titles - Cork". Hogan Stand. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- "Galway aim to avoid a not so magnificent 7". Irish Independent. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- Cuddihy, Tony (1 September 2011). "New Rebels boss Jimmy Barry Murphy names his selectors". The 42. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
- O'Flynn, Diarmuid (7 May 2012). "Cats' smash and grab". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- O'Flynn, Diarmuid (15 July 2013). "Day of joy sends tremor through Treaty". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- O'Flynn, Diarmuid (9 September 2013). "An emotional, riveting roller-coaster". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
- O'Flynn, Diarmuid (30 September 2013). "A day borrowed from the hurling gods". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
- Breheny, Martin (14 July 2014). "Supersub Paudie O'Sullivan gives Cork real belief". Irish Independent. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- "Cork hurling coach Kieran Kingston steps down". Irish Times. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- "Kingston appointed as new Cork manager". RTÉ Sport. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
- O'Toole, Fintan (9 July 2016). "Brilliant Wexford claim first senior hurling championship win over Cork in 60 years". The 42. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- O'Toole, Fintan (25 October 2016). "5 players cut from Cork hurling squad as several youngsters added before 2017 campaign". The 42. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- "Cork victorious over Clare in Munster hurling final". Irish Examiner. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
- "Kieran Kingston steps down as Cork manager after two seasons in charge". Irish Independent. 23 September 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
- "Kingston leaves Cork hurling in positive place but next appointment will be crucial after 2017 progress". The 42. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 29 September 2017.