Speaking at today's Media Day ahead of Saturday's Bord Gais Energy All-Ireland Under 21 Hurling finals at Semple Stadium, Cunningham said that he is delighted to have been asked by Barry-Murphy to get involved.

"We are finally ratified and the season starts now for want of a better word," he said.

"We are looking forward to get up and running again. It's a great honour to be involved.

"I am delighted to be involved and delighted that Jimmy asked me to be involved and looking forward to working with him for the next couple of years."

Cunningham, Johnny Crowley, Kieran Kingston and Seanie McGrath will form the backroom staff along with Barry Murphy.

Cunningham says that there is a big challenge ahead, and it is important that a long-term focus is developed.

"It's going to be a major challenge and I have no doubt that's why the county board gave Jimmy a three-year term. They realise that it is a process to build for the future," he said.

"It probably has started with Denis (Walsh) in the last couple of years and must continue.

"At the same time eventhough we weren't competiting, and weren't competiting in finals each team that was there - there are good individuals out there.

"There are good players out there, it is just a question of finding them and making sure that we have a good scout of the county and make sure that we have everybody covered.

"We have to make sure that we try to get the best players available to Cork that we can."