Conor Counihan (born 28 September 1959) is an Irish former Gaelic footballer who played as a centre-back for the Cork senior team.
He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of twenty when he first linked up with the Cork under-21 team, before later lining out with the junior side.
In 1984, Counihan was captain of divisional side Imolkilly as the team reached the final of the county senior championship for the first time ever.
Dual kingpins St. Finbarr's provided the opposition, with Imokilly claiming their first ever title with a 2–14 to 2–7 score line.
Knocknagree were the opponents and, after a draw and a replay, Counihan's side won by 0–8 to 0–4, giving him a Cork Junior Football Championship medal.
Counihan made his senior debut for Cork during the autumn games of the 1980–81 National Football League.
He made his championship debut against Waterford in 1981, but was back on the substitutes' bench for the subsequent Munster final defeat by Kerry.
Cork suffered a blow in the first-half when Colm O'Neill was sent off; however, Shay Fahy was playing a blinder at midfield.
This victory was all the more special as the Cork hurling team had already won their respective All-Ireland title a fortnight earlier.
Counihan was introduced as a substitute, however, Séamus Downey scored the winning goal as Derry secured their first All-Ireland with a 1–14 to 2–8 victory.
He played with Munster for six seasons between 1986 and 1992, however, he ended up on the losing side on each occasion and finished his career without a Railway Cup title.
Five years later, in 1999, Counihan played a role alongside Larry Tompkins as a specialist backs coach and as a selector.
Following the resignation of manager Larry Tompkins, Counihan was, at one point, installed as the favourite to succeed him in the position.
Counihan's side won the All-Ireland Sevens title in 2003 and reached the semi-final of the county championship in 2005.
In 2007, when Billy Morgan left as Cork senior football manager, Counihan was one of the favourites to take the post.
Counihan was appointed manager at a time when Cork were facing a relegation battle in the National Football League.
Cork fought back immediately under Counihan and their performance in their remaining games ensured their position in Division 2 for the following year.
The subsequent provincial decider saw Cork take on reigning All-Ireland champions Kerry for the fourth successive year.
Few pundits and commentators gave Counihan's side any chance and at half-time Kerry were cruising by eight points.
In the end, the difficulties were resolved with the resignation of hurling manager Gerald McCarthy, and Counihan's plans for his team were back on track.
Monaghan provided the opposition on that occasion, with Cork securing a 1–14 to 0–12 victory and promotion to the top flight of the football league.
[17] Cork recovered from the previous year's All-Ireland defeat by having a successful National League campaign in early 2010.
After negotiating their way through a difficult series of games, Cork defeated Dublin to qualify for their third All-Ireland final in four years.
At the full-time whistle Cork were the champions by 0–16 to 0–15 and Counihan had finally guided his native county to the All-Ireland, a first in twenty years.
[20] 2011 started well for Cork as they captured a second consecutive League title following a battle hard performance against Dublin.
Those plans were disrupted by a Munster Final defeat to Kerry in Killarney and for the second year in a row Cork had to go through the qualifiers.