Donal Og Cusack is honoured to have been named as Cork captain for 2012.
The veteran Cloyne goalkeeper will succeed Shane O’Neill in the role of the Rebel hurlers’ on-field leader in the new season, with new manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy believing that the long-time servant is just the man for the job.
Cusack says his club and family have also been honoured by the Leesiders manager’s choice, and he hopes to now give his all as Cork look to bounce back from a poor 2011 in the New Year.
"It's a great honour for myself, my family and friends and for Cloyne to be made captain of the Cork senior hurling team," Cusack was quoted as saying by the Irish Examiner.
"I'd like to thank Jimmy Barry-Murphy and the management team for giving me that honour, and I'll be giving it everything I have - Corcaigh abu."
Patrick Horgan will be the county’s vice-captain in 2012, with Barry-Murphy saying of the changes: "Shane O'Neill came to me and said he wanted to step down.
“He's had a lot of injuries over the last couple of years and he wants to concentrate on getting himself right.
“We felt Donal Og was the obvious choice - he has the experience to bring to the job, particularly given the present situation, he's a very experienced player and he's been there a long time.
"With Patrick, we felt we wanted to give him some extra responsibility, that he can show some leadership up front as well. He's shown fantastic form for his club (Glen Rovers) in recent years and we wanted to share the responsibility around."