GAA:The senior Cork hurlers who refuse to play under manager Gerald McCarthy released a brief statement of their own today, outlining plans to hold a press conference which will take place next Sunday.
Today’s statement from the players read: “Due to the length and complexities of the statements issued by Gerald McCarthy and the Cork County Board on Tuesday and the gravity of the situation, the Cork senior hurling panel of 2008 has decided to hold a press conference to deal, in detail, with all of the issues involved in the coming days.”
On Tuesday McCarthy said he would no longer enter into discussions with the players, who also refused to opportunity to meet with independent chairman Olann Kelleher.
Kelleher resigned from his role yesterday but declined to reveal his reasons for stepping away, stating he was bound by a confidentiality clause. However, it has become apparent the players were unwilling to convene under his chairmanship after attempts were made to bring McCarthy into the discussions.
Yesterday the Cork Chairman Jerry O’Sullivan said the process was “going nowhere” and could have “gone on forever”.
It is understood all Cork club chairmen and the media will be invited to Sunday’s meeting, with a venue expected to be announced later today.
In giving their version of events the rebel hurlers hope they can win over public support in a dispute that has strangled Cork hurling for over four months.