Kieran Kingston says an approach from the Cork players was the biggest factor in his return as boss.
The two-time All-Ireland winner last managed the Rebels in 2016 and 2017, and is back in harness once more after the departure of John Meyler.
“When I left the last time, I had a very good reason,” he says, referencing his hectic work schedule at the time.
“Once John decided to step down, I suppose it was only then that you started thinking about the position. But I certainly didn’t expect that the opportunity would come up too soon.
“I got an approach from the players to consider going back in. That was the first step. I spoke to them in terms of what they wanted and I listened to what they had to say.
“Then that was supported by an approach from the board.
“After that then serious reflection commenced.
“The key decision was the collective approach from the players because I wouldn’t have gone back if that wasn’t forthcoming."
Kingston is stepping back in with a panel he knows well, estimating that he worked with 85 per cent of them in the past, and his two-year spell before has readied him for what’s to come.
First up is the League, which Cork haven’t won since 1998.
After that, it’s back into the bear pit of Munster, before pushing for a first All-Ireland title since 2005.
Kingston added: “There are small margins between victory and defeat and no matter what happens in your first (Munster round-robin) game, your second game gives you an opportunity in terms of your progress out of the Munster championship.
“Your squad’s hugely important and you can’t legislate for what’s going to happen in any game, especially when you’re going with a six-day turnaround into games.”
Cork have often been accused of having a soft underbelly when the going gets tough, and Kingston is keen to add the right level of aggression to their play.
He said: “Hurling has evolved hugely. You talk about a mean streak, it’s not fellas going out pulling across fellas.
“The game is refereed really well in the main, the game is really, really clean in the main.
“What you’re talking about there is not in any dirty way or any way that’s outside the rules, it’s to play to the edge of the rules, and to have that hunger, desire and work-rate to win every ball, and if you lose it to try and win the next one.
“I think that’s what at times we haven’t had and to develop that would be my mantra.”
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