CORK HURLER'S STRIKE: Cork's remaining hurling selectors have resigned. The decision and the subsequent discussion at last night's meeting of the county board last night in Páirc Uí Chaoimh will help progress a settlement between the county hurlers, who are effectively on strike, and the county executive. Seán Moran reports on last night's Cork County Board meeting at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

County secretary Frank Murphy said that he had yesterday been in contact with one player, involved in the negotiations, and outlined to him the steps the county executive was prepared to take to meet the panel's demands.

He further said that he had got "a positive response" from the player when he suggested that a further meeting between the parties take place.

A number of delegates supported the general request-list of the players and expressed hope that the matter would be resolved before the weekend.

Others stated that they were "disappointed" and "amazed" that the issues had been allowed come to a head without being addressed for "four months" (since the championship exit against Galway).

Two letters were read out indicating that PJ Murphy, Pat McDonnell and John Meyler would step down and that Frank Murphy had declined to continue as the nominated selector of county champions Blackrock.

The first three selectors said in their letter that they were resigning "in support" of Bertie Óg Murphy, last year's coach who resigned in October.

They added that criticism of them had been unjustified and expressed their gratitude for their appointment. The decision to resign had been taken in the interest of Cork hurling.

The Blackrock club wrote that they had unanimously decided to re-nominate Frank Murphy, but that he had declined the offer.

The letter was critical of the "grossly unfair manner" in which Murphy had been treated. It went on that the county secretary had been a "most successful" selector, involved in the winning of 16 All-Irelands, three National Leagues and 25 Munster titles at various levels.

This development had become inevitable and is likely to have some ameliorating effect on the crisis facing Cork hurling.

Although the players have made their stand in relation to a number of issues concerned with facilities and conditions, it was no secret that they wouldn't have continued playing under the outgoing selectors.

One players' source indicated yesterday evening that the panel's concerns were to do with "players' welfare", but that the clearout of the selection committee would create some room for manoeuvre.

The meeting opened with county secretary Murphy outlining the final communications between the parties prior to last Friday's press conference held by the hurlers to announce their strike.

On November 21st, Joe Deane, on behalf of the hurling panel, wrote to the county board expressing the view that the response and attitude of the county executive to the entire process was "shocking and upsetting".

The letter also expressed the belief that the executive had shown "a lack of integrity" and had been engaged in "window dressing".

Four conditions were placed on further meetings with the executive. Among these were a major shift in the attitude of the executive to the process, substantial movement towards players' wishes and no further announcements by the executive in relation to the process until its conclusion.

In a response, dated November 27th, Frank Murphy said that the executive was "surprised at the content and tone of the letter".

It went on to state that the players' letter did "not reflect the executive's position on most of the matters raised". It also suggested that discussions might proceed with "smaller working parties".

County chairman Jim Cronin read through a list of responses by the outgoing selectors to the various matters raised by the players. Among the responses were references to what were termed "GPA issues".

It was denied that any players had been bullied or directed on the matter of membership.

But it was also the selectors' view - a view to be repeated in Frank Murphy's annual report to next Sunday's annual convention - that the protest in support of the GPA before last May's NHL final in Thurles against Kilkenny had cost Cork the League title: ". . . it was nonetheless believed that the pre-match protest by some players had a bearing on the outcome."

Meanwhile, the players, in a press statement late on Monday, addressed the alleged slight on GAA medical officer Dr Con Murphy. This was inferred from concerns expressed about the lack of medical attention for a player on an eight-hour bus journey from Derry after a League match.

"It has been implied in certain quarters that by raising concerns over the provision of medical services in our dealings with the executive, that we have questioned the commitment and professionalism of Dr Con Murphy, Cork's team doctor for many years.

"This interpretation is utterly incorrect in our view and is being advanced by some people for cynical purposes. Dr Con stands alone in our view as an unfailing friend over the years. He is a man who has given unstintingly of himself to Cork hurling, and to us all personally. No man could ever have done more for Cork.

"Anybody who would imply that we were at any time trying to question him is to do to us and more importantly him, enormous and outrageous disservice.

"We feel that this behaviour is a further attempt at manipulation of the situation and any hurt caused to Dr Con by this is deeply regrettable."