The Cork County Board have a huge period coming up for them. As well as dealing with the upcoming All-Ireland semi-final for the Cork hurlers against Dublin on Saturday week, the board have a few big decisions ahead when it comes to the various issues in Cork football. An important meeting regarding the state of the big ball on Leeside is planned for next Tuesday at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. That has to be the start of Cork football getting back on its feet again. It simply has to be a constructive meeting and not just ticking the box exercise to make it look like something is being done. The Cork U20 football managerial position is vacant following the end of Ray O’Mahony’s two-year term, but what is most pressing and is dominating the agenda of Cork football fans over the last few days is the future of John Cleary as Cork senior manager. The Castlehaven clubman’s three-year term that he signed in the summer of 2022 came to an end last Saturday following the loss to Dublin in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final at Croke Park. He served as interim boss for a few months prior to getting the gig full-time. He kept his cards close to his chest when speaking to the media after the 1-19 to 1-16 loss to the Dubs remaining tight-lipped over his future. There’s no doubt that he has given it his all during his tenure, maximizing everything to the last in what is a challenging job at the best of times. Cleary was close to walking away at the end of last season following the disappointing loss to Louth at the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final stage, but was persuaded to stay on. If he does want to remain in charge for 2026, which is a big if at this stage, it all comes down to whether he has the hunger and drive to go again. He has a busy life outside of the GAA, running a very successful insurance business, but there would be support behind him if he did want to go again next year. If he isn’t on the sidelines in 2026, Cork’s All-Ireland minor winning manager back in 2019 Bobbie O’Dwyer could be an option to take over having went for it previously in 2021 before Keith Ricken was chosen. John Fintan Daly, who has a very successful CV both at inter-county and club level, has applied for the position on at least three occasions before. Could it be fourth time lucky for him? Could one of the selectors in Cleary’s management ticket step up? Micheál Ó Cróinín and Jim O’Donoghue are highly-regarded by the players. Is it finally time for the Leesiders to go for an outside manager? Something they have never done. The Cork County Board shouldn't be in a position to think that it’s something we don’t do down in Cork in terms of selecting a manager from outside the county. Beggars can’t be choosers. It should all come down to who’s the best candidate for the role. If that’s outside the county, so be it. The Cork County Board and Cleary will sit down for talks very soon and decide what the future lies for the two-time All-Ireland senior winner in 1989 and 1990. Progress has been made during his time at the helm in recent years, Cork are more competitive, fitter and better conditioned. They aren’t too far away, but they need all of the players available. Steven Sherlock’s decision to walk away at the end of last year was a mark against the management. Also, young forwards, Blake Murphy, Damien Gore and Fionn Herlihy, weren’t utilised enough and decided to step away. Jack Cahalane went off playing for the Cork hurlers, but has struggled for game time. There’s a good foundation there though looking ahead to 2026 for a promotion charge in Division 2 of the league and a strong championship season starting in Munster. New blood has been brought in this year with the likes of Seán Brady, Neil Lordan, Seán McDonnell and Seán Walsh all impressing. The Cork County Board have to get this decision spot on. Do they give Cleary a new term if he wants it or is it time for a new voice? That's what Pat Horgan and co must look at.