The Cork County Board has claimed its members "are at a loss" to understand how players' representatives found fault with the process that led to the reappointment of hurling boss Gerald McCarthy and has called on the panel to "step back" from the current dispute for the good of the game in the county.
McCarthy was given a two-year extension to his deal recently but the hurling panel has claimed that it was not adequately consulted in the selection and has refused to play for the manager.
A statement released by the board this evening, read: "We have no wish to become involved in a tit for tat exchange of statements in the media with player representatives.
"However, it is important to say this. Board members involved in the selection process for the new manager are at a loss to understand how player representatives could claim that the process was flawed from the outset.
"Five meetings took place, four of which were perfectly cordial and constructive. At the commencement of the process, the selection committee was unaware that Gerald McCarthy would even be available for the coming season."
The statement added that neither player on the panel proposed an alternative candidate for the position but when others were mentioned at the third meeting it was never suggested "that any of those talented coaches was superior to Gerald McCarthy".
The board has also condemned "attacks" on the board by "a very small number of players", calling them a "cliché".
While admitting that there have been "mistakes" made by the board in the past it contested that adjustments had been made "to take account of changed times, new values and circumstances".
The statement concluded by calling on the players "to resume their careers, to allow others to resume theirs, and to remember that Cork hurling is bigger than any individual, set of individuals or County Board."
McCarthy claimed yesterday that some of the Cork players are 'predisposed to conflict', while the Cork Evening Echoreleased a document signed by the panel in June, in which it stated that the players were satisfied with McCarthy and believed they could win an All-Ireland under him.
McCarthy was also adamant that he would not bow to player pressure and insisted that his appointment was not a 'done deal'.
Cork County Board statement in full
Like all those interested in hurling and sport in general, Cork County Board very much regrets the latest turn of events in the county.
The Board re-affirms its support for its properly appointed hurling manager, Gerald McCarthy, and expresses its admiration for his resolve in the current, difficult circumstances.
We have no wish to become involved in a tit for tat exchange of statements in the media with player representatives. However, it is important to say this. Board members involved in the selection process for the new manager are at a loss to understand how player representatives could claim that the process was flawed from the outset. Five meetings took place, four of which were perfectly cordial and constructive. At the commencement of the process, the selection committee was unaware that Gerald McCarthy would even be available for the coming season.
At no stage in any of the meetings, did either of the player representatives formally propose the name of any other candidate for consideration. At the third meeting, there was a discussion of the names of other possible managers and at no stage was it suggested that any of those talented coaches was superior to Gerald McCarthy. When a vote was called at the fifth meeting, player representatives walked out.
Attacks on the County Board by a very small number of players have become something of a cliché. Cork County Board may have been guilty of misjudgements in the past but few can deny that we have made adjustments to take account of changed times, new values and circumstances. But as representatives of the wider GAA family in Cork, we would ask the players, particularly those in leadership positions, to consider whether their current action and threatened action is justified, proportionate or fair.
We sincerely appeal to them to step back from all of this, to resume their careers, to allow others to resume theirs, and to remember that Cork hurling is bigger than any individual, set of individuals or County Board.