Hurling challenge given the all-clear

CORK CRISIS:THE GAA is satisfied that next Sunday's hurling challenge match in Fermoy between a Cork selection and a St Colman's selection does not breach new regulations on observing the close season.

Organised some time ago, the match, to mark the 150th anniversary of St Colman's College, has become the focus of intense interest due to the ongoing strife in the Cork hurling camp.

Asked about the status of the match, which had been called off once before being reinstated, Jimmy Dunne, chair of Croke Park's Central Competitions Control Committee, which has vetting powers in relation to proposed activity during November and December, said that the re-styled commemorative match (formerly between Cork and St Colman's) was no longer a problem.

"As far as I am aware a development squad will be playing and that doesn't need permission," said Dunne.

The formalised close season was agreed at last January's special congress and accepted into rule, as distinct from last year's recommendation that the two months be left clear of inter-county activity. Accordingly county boards were informed a few weeks ago that no challenge matches nor collective training were to take place in November and December.

Not all inter-county activity has been prohibited, according to one Croke Park spokesperson. "The intention here wasn't to be totally restrictive and we would like to give people a chance to operate under the new regulations and hope that they will be respected.

"Two panel meetings are allowed during this period as well as two trial matches but the bulk of the training will be up to individuals. "

In answer to the question whether there were enforcement procedures in place to police compliance, it was pointed out that most people involved in county teams were quite happy with the new arrangement.

"Ultimately county boards are happy and so are players. If we do have to come up with enforcement procedures we will do so but we don't believe that will be necessary."

Meanwhile, Teddy McCarthy looks a certainty to be named as one of the new Cork hurling selectors at a meeting of the Cork county board tonight.

Gerald McCarthy, the senior hurling manager, looks like he will make good on his promise to plough ahead with filling his backroom team in spite of the festering row that is threatening to rip Cork hurling apart. The Rebels boss has two selectors' positions to fill after Martin Bowen and Donie Collins called time on their involvement at the end of the season.

In what could be another twist to the ongoing saga on Leeside, McCarthy, who won All-Ireland titles in both hurling and football with Cork in 1990, was set to be one of Teddy Holland's football selectors last year before the appointments led to the Cork players going on strike.