Cambridge Parnells announce Benny Morgan as new team manager following departure of John Hickey
New manager Benny Morgan is targeting a big year for Cambridge Parnells and is hoping to end a long silverware drought for the club.
Morgan has taken on the role from previous player-boss John Hickey, who has returned to Dublin to take up a university role.
Currently in pre-season, the Parnells are about to embark on a series of friendly matches against some strong opposition, first versus St Barnabas GAC in Nottingham followed by St Kieran’s GFC in London. This is all ahead of their opening tournament in Watford on March 12, with the league following soon after.
“We’ve got a great group of lads and multiple strong new players that have come in,” said Morgan, who joined the club ahead of the 2023 campaign getting under way.
“I can’t fault their commitment, every Wednesday you have 25, 30 players down training in the freezing cold, months ahead of matches. Honestly, this has been the most I have enjoyed gaelic football in England, the team spirit that is here is like something you would get back in Kilcoo.
“Last year people were only getting to know each other but we have a strong spine now. We probably were a bit naive in some of the big matches, but those disappointments and experiences will serve us well in 2023.
“I’m looking forward to us testing ourselves against some of the best teams in England and then, come the start of the league, we have the players that can bring winning days back to Cambridge.
“I really believe, with a strong push, the Championship is not out of the question for this squad.”
Club chairman Cormac Ryan added: “It was sad to see John Hickey go but we wish him the very best in his new role. John was the ultimate professional and left this club in a far better place than where he found it.
“I don’t think there was any real question who was going to step in and take the reins. Benny has been instrumental the past year in training, driving standards and building a winning mentality.”