Dublin see red over Cork's'lack of respect'

Dublin's football management is "incandescent" with the way the team has been treated in relation to their NFL fixture with Cork…

Dublin's football management is "incandescent" with the way the team has been treated in relation to their NFL fixture with Cork, which was called off yesterday morning along with Cork's NHL fixture with Waterford.

"It's very hard to get our message across," said the selector Dave Billings. "We are innocent parties in this, together with other counties who've had fixtures with Cork called off in this manner."

So far Meath, Kilkenny and now Dublin and Waterford have had to deal with the uncertainty surrounding fixtures during the dispute between Cork players and officials.

"There's been a lack of respect from Cork towards Dublin - a lack of respect from both Cork county board and players," said Billings.

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"They've let a local squabble run out of control and I would welcome an acknowledgement of that."

Dublin were informed at 10.40 yesterday morning of the cancellation of this evening's fixture.

"I've had to monitor the situation all week," said Billings, "and then this morning cancel all of our arrangements.

"It's been unacceptable to players and supporters. Hotels have been booked. For instance, St Vincent's had organised a kids' match against Nemo around our match (Cork versus Dublin)."

He added it was time for Croke Park to introduce a system to process difficulties such as the one that has convulsed Cork GAA for the past three months.

"Let's appoint a commissioner to deal with all of these disputes. This can't be allowed to happen again."

Seán Moran

Seán Moran

Seán Moran is GAA Correspondent of The Irish Times