CORK CHAIR Jerry O'Sullivan has appealed to last year's county hurling panel to engage in talks with team manager Gerald McCarthy and the county executive, and stated "there must be a realisation that efforts to resolve the situation must be finalised soon".

The remarks by O'Sullivan, father of Diarmuid and Paudie, who both played for the county in last year's championship, were contained in an open letter released to the media last night which appealed to the players "to respect the wishes of the (county) convention and participate fully in the process".

This suggestion that talks take place between the parties under the mediation of solicitor Olann Kelleher has previously been rejected by the players, who are in dispute with the board over the re-appointment of McCarthy as senior manager for a third year.

The hurling panel's argument was that negotiations between representatives of the three parties would be stacked against them.

It remains to be seen whether O'Sullivan's offer, which is extended "with the hand of friendship and in the spirit of openness" to all 30 of last year's panel members, McCarthy and his management team, as well as the board executive, fares any better.

O'SULLIVAN'S OPEN LETTER

"Like every Cork hurling person, I am focused on how we can overcome the present impasse between the players, the management and the county board.

"I note that the players say they are willing to meet with Olann Kelleher (the mediator) again, but only if our coach, Gerald McCarthy, is not part of the process.

"This Cork team has given us great joy and success over the last few years. We are all grateful for and proud of that.

"On the other hand, our coach, Gerald McCarthy, has also been one of Cork's greats as a player, and has over 10 years experience in intercounty team management. He has also brought the MacCarthy Cup back to Leeside when in charge with Canon Michael O'Brien.

"Over the last two weeks the players, management and the county board have engaged in a series of meetings over many hours with the mediator, without substantial progress being made. I respectfully suggest that these meetings cannot go on forever and there must be a realisation that efforts to resolve the situation must be finalised soon.

"The current initiative arises from a decision of the recent county convention which represents all clubs and, by extension, all players in the county. I would appeal to you to respect the wishes of the convention and participate fully in the process.

"Please avail of the goodwill and expertise of the independent chairman as he tries to facilitate a resolution.

"This hurling crisis has caused enormous hurt and distress to many Cork hurling families, and I appreciate this more than most as I have two sons on the Cork panel.

"It is with the hand of friendship and in the spirit of openness and transparency therefore that I invite the 30 members of the 2008 hurling panel, Gerald McCarthy and the team management and the board executive to a meeting to be chaired by the mediator, Olann Kelleher.

"I am sure we can come to some agreement to ensure that the red jersey of the Cork hurlers will be worn with pride this summer by the best hurlers in the county.

"If we do this then we will have taken the first small step in our march to Croke Park in September 2009.

"Yours in sport,

"Jerry O'Sullivan,

Chairman Cork County Board GAA."