Kieran Kingston is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He was the manager of the Cork senior team from 2015 to 2017. Born in Minane Bridge, County Cork, Kingston was introduced to hurling in his youth. He first came to prominence at colleges level with St Finbarr's College while simultaneously enjoying some successes at underage levels with the Tracton club. A divisional championship medallist in the junior grade, Kingston was also a one-time championship medallist in the intermediate grade. Kingston made his debut on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty when he first linked up with the Cork under-21 team. He enjoyed little success in this grade. Kingston made his senior debut during the 1984-85 National Hurling League. He went on to play a bit part for Cork in defence and midfield, and won one All-Ireland medal on the field of play. After being involved in team management and coaching in all grades at club level with Tracton, Kingston served as coach and selector with the Cork senior team under Jimmy Barry-Murphy. It was announced that he would be the new Cork senior hurling team manager on 10 October 2015.
Playing career
Tracton
Kingston joined the Tracton club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels before eventually joining the club's top adult team in the Cork Intermediate Championship. He made his first appearance for the team on 22 May 1982 when he lined out at right wing-forward in a 5-04 to 1-13 defeat by Inniscarra. On 23 September1990, Kingston was selected at centre-forward when Tracton faced St. Finbarr's in the final of the Cork Intermediate Championship. He scored two points from play but ended the game on the losing side following a 1-08 to 0-10 defeat. Tracton qualified for a second successive Cork Intermediate Championship final on 24 August 1991, with Kingston lining out at left corner-forward. He scored 1-02 from play, including a last-minute goal, and collected a winners' medal following the 4-14 to 5-09 victory.
Cork
Having never played minor hurling, Kingston first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork under-21 hurling team. He made his debut in a drawn game against Waterford on 20 April 1983, however, he enjoyed little success during his two seasons on the panel. Kingston made his senior debut for Cork in a National Hurling League game against Offaly in 1984 and was a regular during that campaign. He made his championship debut against Galway in a 4-12 to 5-5 All-Ireland semi-final defeat on 4 August1985. In 1986 Cork reached the All-Ireland final with Galway providing the opposition. Kingston, who had played no part in the championship up that point was introduced as a substitute. The men from the west were the red-hot favourites against a Cork team in decline, however, on the day a different story unfolded. Four Cork goals, one from John Fenton, two from Tomás Mulcahy and one from Kevin Hennessy, stymied the Galway attack and helped "the Rebels" to a 4-13 to 2-15 victory. The win gave Kingston an All-Ireland medal. Kingston was a regular member of the starting fifteen over the next three seasons, however, Cork faced early exits from the championship. He left the panel after the 1989 championship.
Managerial career
Tracton
Kingston has been heavily involved in coaching at all levels with Tracton over many years. In 2010 he was manager of the club's top team as Tracton reached the final of the intermediate championship. Ballymartle were the winners on that occasion on a scoreline of 2-13 to 0-11.
Cork
Selector and coach
On 1 September 2011, Kingston was one of four selectors named by new Cork senior hurling team manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy. His first season as part of the management team saw Cork qualify for the National League final on 6 May 2012, with the team suffering a 3-21 to 0-16 defeat by Kilkenny. During Kingston's second season as a selector he helped guide the team to the Munster final on 14 July 2013, however, Cork suffered a 0-24 to 0-15 defeat by Limerick. On 8 September 2013, Cork drew 3-16 to 0-25 with Clare in their first All-Ireland final appearance in seven years. The replay on 28 September 2018 saw Cork suffered a 5-16 to 3-16 defeat. Kingston was appointed coach of the team for the 2014 season while also retaining his role as a selector. On 13 July 2014, Cork enjoyed their first Munster Championship success in eight years when they defeated Limerick by 2-14 to 0-14 in the final. Kingston stepped down as coach and selector at the end of the season citing work commitments.
Manager
On 10 October 2015, Kingston returned to the Cork senior team as Jimmy Barry-Murphy's successor as manager. His first season at the helm saw Cork exit the championship after suffering their first defeat by Wexford in 60 years. Kingston's second season saw more prominent roles for new players Shane Kingston, Mark Coleman and Darragh Fitzgibbon. On 9 July 2017, he guided Cork to the Munster Championship title after a 1-25 to 1-20 defeat of Clare in the final. Kingston stepped down as manager at the end of the season after declining an offer of a second term in charge.
Return as manager
On 1 October 2019, Kingston was ratified as manager of the Cork senior team for the second time.
