Latest news with #JohnCleary
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Policymakers warned that 3.8% drop in cattle numbers could double
The 3.8% drop in the national cattle herd in the last 12 months should be of concern to policymakers, says the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA). ICSA beef chairman John Cleary said the drop of more than 276,000 head of cattle is a warning to policymakers and could double next year if current trends continue. 'These numbers are not a surprise to farmers on the ground, but they should be a wake-up call for policymakers," he said. "According to Department of Agriculture figures, we've lost over 276,000 cattle in the space of a year. The national herd is declining at a worrying pace, and unless there is urgent intervention, the exodus from cattle farming will only accelerate,' he said. Mr Cleary said: 'What we are now witnessing is the cumulative impact of policies that just keep making it increasingly difficult to keep cattle. "Beef-sired cattle numbers are down over 92,000 head in just 12 months, and if this trend continues, we could see a decline of double that magnitude next year. This is not sustainable, and it signals real danger for the future of our family farms and rural economies. Mr Cleary warned that farmers are experiencing more restrictions, and with looming threats of CAP being dismantled and nitrates regulation tightening, herd numbers are dropping as a result. 'There is also the very real prospect that with fewer cattle in the system and reduced factory throughput, we'll see less competition, with smaller processors being squeezed out," he said. "That will inevitably hit farmers in the pocket through weaker prices. We cannot afford to let that happen.' Mr Cleary said that while live exports have increased and continue to play a vital role in balancing the market, they may not be a long-term solution. Over-reliance on live exports is risky. The real issue is that fewer calves are being born because fewer cows are being kept - and that is down to a policy environment that undermines confidence in the future.' He cautioned policymakers, saying current farmers are struggling to keep up with paperwork and policy swings, and young people looking to enter the industry are second-guessing their decision, watching the decline of the industry and stressors being placed on existing farmers. Concluding, Mr Cleary said, 'If policymakers don't act now to restore confidence and give farmers a reason to stay in business, the collapse of the national herd will become unstoppable - and with it, the collapse of rural economies across the country.'
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Cork Football boss John Cleary given two more years
Cork Football boss John Cleary has been ratified for another two years, the news of which was confirmed at Tuesday's County Board meeting. Cleary took over the job in 2022, initially on an interim basis, and has been in charge for each of the last three seasons. He was successfully ratified on Tuesday evening and will bring his management team forward next month for approval by Cork's County Board. Cleary nearly masterminded one of the shocks of the summer when Cork lost in extra time to eventual All-Ireland Champions Kerry in their Munster semi-final clash. In his first full year in charge, Cleary guided Cork to the All-Ireland quarter-final stages but bowed out in the preliminary quarter-finals in both 2024 and 2025. There was no news about the future of hurling manager Pat Ryan, although it appears likely the County Board may still be conducting its end-of-season review.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Confirmed: John Cleary staying on as Cork senior football boss
John Cleary has received a new two-year term as Cork senior football manager. The Castlehaven man was ratified for another couple of seasons at Tuesday's county board meeting. Cleary took over Cork on an interim basis in 2022 and has been in the permanent position for the last three seasons. Cleary's management team will be proposed for ratification at September's county board meeting. His backroom team for the past three seasons has comprised of coach Kevin Walsh, selectors Micheál Ó Croinín, James Loughrey and Barry Corkery, as well as performance coach Rob Heffernan. For the second year in a row, Cork bowed out at the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final stages when they lost to Dublin. They defeated Roscommon to make the knock-out stages, having beaten Donegal in the 2024 group phase before exiting the championship at the hands of Louth.
Irish Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Times
John Cleary to stay on as Cork football boss for a further two years
John Cleary has been handed a fresh two-year term as Cork senior football manager. Cleary took over the Cork footballers on an interim basis from Keith Ricken in 2022 before accepting the role on a more permanent footing for three years. That three-year term ended following Cork's All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final defeat to Dublin in June, but Clearly was handed a fresh two-year spell at Tuesday night's county board meeting. Meanwhile, Declan Darcy has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Dessie Farrell as Dublin senior football manager. READ MORE Darcy, who was a key member of Jim Gavin's backroom team from 2013-2019, is understood to be the preferred candidate of several leading players within the senior squad. Former Dublin defender Jonny Cooper could be part of Darcy's management team. Ger Brennan was the early favourite to replace Farrell and at least one of the country's largest bookmakers suspended betting last month on the St Vincent's clubman taking the reins of his native county. Brennan this summer managed Louth to a first Leinster SFC triumph in 68 years but surprisingly stepped down as Wee County boss after their championship campaign ended. His decision to step away was announced just three days after Farrell resigned from as Dublin senior football boss. Brennan has also been linked with the managerial vacancy in Roscommon.
Irish Examiner
04-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
John Cleary expected to remain in charge of Cork senior footballers for 2026
John Cleary is expected to remain in charge of the Cork senior footballers for a fourth full season in 2026. The Cork County Board meet on Tuesday night where further light could be shed on the Castlehaven man's future in the position. There has been suggestions that there may be changes in Cleary's management team but there are strong indications he will be at the helm having initially taken over from Keith Ricken on a temporary basis in 2022. Cleary's management team for the past three seasons has comprised coach Kevin Walsh, selectors Micheál Ó Croinín, James Loughrey and Barry Corkery and performance coach Rob Heffernan. For the second year in a row, Cork bowed out in at the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final stages when they lost to Dublin. They defeated Roscommon to make the knock-out stages having beaten Donegal in the 2024 group phase before exiting the championship at the hands of Louth. Speaking to the Irish Examiner last month, Cork chairman Pat Horgan said they hoped to confirm their senior management team this week. 'We hope to be in a position by August 5, at our next county board meeting, to have sorted the senior football. We will be speaking to John and hopefully we will have that sorted by then.' Cork will avoid a third consecutive Munster semi-final meeting against Kerry in 2026 following the provincial council's decision on Thursday to seed their top two league finishers in 2024 in separate semi-finals. Horgan has placed a strong emphasis on Cork returning to Division 1. This year, they were one win short of making the top two in Division 2. They had four home games and could have the same again in 2026 as it is the start of a new two-year cycle. Like Cleary, Pat Ryan's initial three-year term as senior hurling manager has concluded but there are hopes he too will agree to remain at the helm. Despite a successive All-Ireland final defeat, Cork claimed this year's Division 1 and Munster honours. Meanwhile, Davy Fitzgerald is set to remain on for a second season in charge of Antrim. The Saffrons retained their Division 1B status in 2025 but were relegated from the Leinster championship and will contest the Joe McDonagh Cup. It is also anticipated in Galway that Pádraic Joyce will stay in charge for a seventh season. The two-time All-Ireland SFC winner's recent three-year stint concluded with the All-Ireland quarter-final loss to Meath.
