CORK STAND-OFF:CORK HURLING selector Teddy McCarthy has made an impassioned plea to members of the panel to think about their actions during the present impasse in the county. In a speech at an awards dinner in his honour at the Sarsfields club in Cork City last night, the former dual star paid particular attention to the vexed question of senior players influencing the decision of up-and-coming young hurlers.
McCarthy said: “When I hear of the efforts of some of last year’s panel attempting to dissuade young hurlers from playing for Cork . . . well, if that’s true, I would be so disappointed. When I hear of the Cork panel being organised into ‘cells’, each chaired by a senior player, I say to myself how could we have allowed that kind of thing into Cork hurling, into what is meant to be a sport.
“If there are those who want to make a principled stand for what they believe in by walking away from the county team then that is their right, but please do not attempt to influence others to do the same, especially if they are young players.”
In his speech McCarthy blamed outside influences for getting involved, and finished by making a direct appeal to the players. “It’s a very difficult time for everyone involved in this dispute . . . I’ve heard all the arguments being put forward by the player representatives. I’ve heard the case being made by people who represent the players and who pretend they are objective commentators. I know the 2008 players; most of them are outstanding individuals. I know that deep down what’s going on doesn’t represent them or what they stand for.
“They are in a difficult and uncomfortable situation as a part of a group and they’ve been put in that position by people who should know better. Before this dispute goes on further, I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to each member of last year’s panel.
“Speak to your club mentors and trainers down through the years; those who encouraged you probably from the time you were six or seven . . . Ask them whether your best interests as players or indeed as people are served by being part of all of this mayhem. I have no doubt what their response will be. You have been blessed with great talent. Enjoy it. Set your own agenda, remember you are part of something great in Cork – don’t throw it away.”
The 2008 panel are due to hold a media briefing tonight.
Meanwhile, former GAA president Seán Kelly has criticised the handling of last year’s row between the Cork board and players, saying mistakes made in attempting to resolve that crisis are at the centre of the current impasse. Speaking on RTÈ Radio One yesterday, the Kerry native specified giving the players a representation on the committee charged with appointing a manager as a key error.
“I think a lot of it goes back to what I would consider a mistake by (the mediator) Kieran Mulvey . . . He said they’d put two players on the committee to appoint the manager. When you put two players on a committee, they’re going to be representing 30 players. If they come in and say ‘we don’t want this guy’ or ‘we want some other guy’, that puts the other players on the committee in a very difficult position.
Darren O’Sullivan from Glenbeigh/Glencar was named as Kerry captain for 2009 by county champions Mid Kerry on Saturday night. O’Sullivan won All-Ireland medals in 2006 and 2007 but again suffered defeat to Tyrone last September.
