Pat Ryan has stepped down as manager of the Cork U20 hurlers. 

The Sarsfields clubman had come to the end of a two-year term, during which he led the young Rebels to back-to-back All Ireland titles.

Cork's underage set-ups found themselves in a state of flux on Tuesday evening, with Noel Furlong leaving his post as Minor Hurling manager.

Ryan took over in October of 2019, but had to wait for more than a year for his first taste of championship action due to the pandemic.

Cork were crowned Munster champions two days before Christmas of 2020, following wins over Kerry, Limerick (a.e.t) and defending champions Tipperary.

In a final delayed by over seven months, Cork beat Dublin 2-19 to 1-18 to secure the county's twelfth win at U20/U21 age grade.

Cork picked up where they left off just over a fortnight later, by opening their 2021 account with a six-point win over Tipp in the Munster semi-finals.

They accounted for Limerick in a thrilling Munster final, before cantering past Galway in August's All Ireland decider.

"We wish to express our sincere thanks to Pat and his team for their skilled stewardship of this group throughout a difficult period, considering the effects of the Covid -19 pandemic," Cork chair Marc Sheehan said, "We have no doubt that all will have a significant part to play in Cork Hurling at all levels in the future."

Furlong, meanwhile, has worked with his players since U15 level and he's been tipped as a potential successor to Ryan.

Donal Óg Cusack - who left the Minor job in 2020 and was replaced by Furlong - is also in the running for the U20 position.

Sheahan also praised the work of Furlong, saying, "Noel’s vision in developing this group over a significant period came to bear in a series of outstanding performances throughput this year’s championship, all of which bodes well for their progression to the older groups in future.”

“This is the way forward” – Robinson wants Kenny for the long-term