Players' conference next week

HURLING CORK STAND-OFF:THE CORK hurlers are expected to announce today the details of their media conference to address various issues raised by team manager Gerald McCarthy and the county board this week.

Although no decision was due until late last night after a players’ meeting, it is likely that the event will take place early next week.

The stand-off between last year’s senior panel and the county board over the reappointment of manager Gerald McCarthy has led to a crisis in the county with the start of the National Hurling League imminent. To date the county has fielded teams consisting of players willing to make themselves available but which are reckoned to be fourth- or fifth-choice teams in terms of quality.

Last year’s players have made it clear they won’t play under McCarthy whereas the manager has made it equally clear that he won’t be resigning and he has the full backing of the county board. If the stalemate continues Cork face relegation from Division One of the National Hurling League and possibly regrading into the Christy Ring Cup at the end of the coming championship season.

The players are believed to feel that the only possibility of intervention now lies with the clubs in the county or with the GAA nationally. The problem, however, is that the clubs’ representatives endorsed McCarthy’s appointment last year and Croke Park has shown little inclination to get involved.

But with the season about to start and the implications for both the county and the GAA in its 125th-anniversary year becoming increasingly stark, it may be that further initiatives will emerge. Nonetheless, it remains likely Cork will be fielding severely weakened teams for most of the county’s league programme.

After the departure of the county board mediator, Olann Kelleher, this week following the refusal of players to take part in talks with officials and McCarthy’s management, the manager released a hard-hitting statement criticising the players and declaring he was drawing a line in the sand as regards efforts to re-engage with the 2008 panel.

“The players want the right to veto the appointment of the county manager and, effectively, appoint their own manager. They don’t accept that different perspectives to their own are worthy of any consideration. And when those who claim representative status for all the players don’t get exactly what they want, they walk away and reach for a placard. Does any real or perceived grievance justify the damage that has been done to Cork hurling?

“I am not interested anymore in negotiating with last year’s panel. I have done everything possible to facilitate a solution. It’s time to move on.”

Meanwhile, GAA president Nickey Brennan has issued further details of the opening National Football League game at Croke Park on Saturday, January 31st between Dublin and Tyrone. “The opening Allianz National Football League game will be a night of celebration of the achievements of our association over those 125 years and will serve as an inspiration to all current members.”

This event will feature music, entertainment and a lighting and fireworks display. A programme of entertainment will be hosted by Hector Ó hEochagáin. A specially commissioned soundtrack from Larry Mullen of U2 also featuring Micheal Ó Muircheartaigh will be premiered on the occasion.

Tickets are available on www.gaa.ie or from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide. Stand: €20 (adults), €5 (accompanied children), €10 (senior citizens, student cards), Terrace: €15, Wheelchair and Attendant Passes: €20, Group Passes: €3 per juvenile, (one adult per 10 juveniles free of charge).