The Cork saga has taken up a lot of paper space in the last month and by the looks of things a resolution seems further away now than it did in its initial stages.
The tit-for-tat battle between all parties involved has been festering away for too long. This is probably due to the fact that it’s off-season.
One wouldn't have to be residing in Cork to know that relations between the players and county board have been on thin ice over the last few years. The power struggle between the two sides goes back to '02, when the players threatened strike action over player welfare issues. They sorted out their problems that year and went onto contest the All-Ireland final against Kilkenny in '03. However, this time it’s a much nastier feud which no doubt will result in some players retiring. Some of the statements released by the players in the last month have been very malicious. Ben O'Connor's attack on manager Ger McCarthy was very personal. McCarthy, winner of five All-Ireland finals as a player would be seen down Leeside as a very decent guy who would love to bring the McCarthy Cup back to his county. His record as a manager might be average but he simply never stood a chance with this bunch because when he was initially elected it was well known that the players wanted Ger Cunningham. The County Board’s appointment of McCarthy has left the man a pawn in this ongoing feud. The players seem way too big for their boots at present - whatever happened to the honour of wearing the county colours?
They must realise that 27 of their 30 titles were won before they were given the honour of pulling on the famous red jersey. If they are not happy they should move on and let young hungry guys in to do their job. Cork has a long tradition in the game and no one need tell me that they wouldn't find another 30 good players that would be capable of competing at the highest level if the current panel was to walk out in block. They might not win next year’s All-Ireland but I'm sure they would blend into a good side with a bit of experience under their belt. The current squad have done the county proud down the years but fans from Cork and around the country have lost a lot of respect for them in recent weeks. There are always ring leaders in teams and they are usually the more experienced members of the panel. It was comical to hear some of the older guys issuing statements that the younger panel members were more aggravated than them - from my experience as a young Kilkenny panel member back in 1990 you just kept your trap shut and were grateful to the manager for giving you the opportunity to be involved, maybe times have moved on.
The saga has entered a boring stage and people are just fed up of all the sniping. When it all boils down it reverts down to a power struggle between the more senior campaigners and a certain Frank Murphy whom the players have no time for. Maybe for the greater good of Cork hurling and hurling in general, it’s time for some of the main protagonists to move on and that includes Frank Murphy. When Kilkenny set out on their defence of the McCarthy Cup next year we want Cork in the mix because it wouldn't be the same without them.
All-star camogie award
It wasn't just the hurlers who picked up awards last weekend a special word of praise must go to Aoife Neary who picked up her first camogie All-star award. Also to the U16 management team of Stephen Dormer and Liam Dunne on winning 'the manager of the year' award after landing the counties 4th consecutive title at this grade.
Hurling great
On a sad note Kilkenny lost one of its true hurling men during the week when Dicksboro club man Denis Philpott passed away. The Cork man and former St Kieran’s College teacher was a true character and inspired many a hurler down the years with his knowledge and advice. Philo as he was affectionately known was made famous by his saying ...'you go for the ball as if you love it and hit it as if you hate it'. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh sé...old friend.
