What is it with certain sporting institutions? Lurching from a problem to another crisis seems to be an unavoidable affliction for several outfits in differing codes. Newcastle United, and sagas surrounding managerial appointments in Donegal football have all captured headlines for unwanted reasons, and the latest issue that is gripping Leeside is a cautionary tale.
In August, as Cork were nudged out of the All Ireland reckoning at the penultimate stage by Kilkenny in front of a sea of red at Croke Park, it appeared a fitting conclusion to the Gerald McCarthy era. Cork went down fighting, there was honour in the defeat, but the slide since has been dramatic.
The column inches devoted to the latest chapter are full of claim and counter claim, but nobody will come out of the saga unblemished. That is a grave pity.
Ultimately it is all about authority and there really should be worth put into the Cork hurlers’ beliefs of who is appointed as manager. Bother was inevitable when their views weren’t heeded, and an impasse has followed. Unfortunately the next few months won’t be pretty.
