Bob Ryan blasts ‘unsatisfactory’ league structures process

The manner in which the GAA’s Central Council opted against changes to the Allianz Hurling League came in for strong criticism at last night’s Cork County Board meeting at Nemo Rangers.

Cork had been in favour of reverting to an eight-team Division 1, but at last weekend’s Central Council meeting it was decided to retain the current system on a vote of 27-19. In reporting to the board, Cork delegate Bob Ryan made his feelings clear, citing much unhappiness with the canvassing of traditional football counties to vote against.

“The way this debate was handled was quite unsatisfactory,” he said, “a lot of counties are very unhappy with the way this was processed.

“If the situation is correct that a member of management [GAA management committee] canvassed counties against the proposal, it’s a very sad day for the association.”

Cork chairman Ger Lane echoed Ryan’s comments while secretary Frank Murphy quoted the letter issuing notice of the Central Council meeting, which had stated no final decision would be made on the leagues until November.

Meanwhile, the appointments of the new Cork minor hurling, minor football and junior managers will be made following a new process outlined at the meeting.

Systems laid out by the county executive will now encompass a series of steps. The first stage, that of nominations is to be flexible, with candidates able to be chosen by clubs, members of the county board and individuals themselves, among others. From those nominated, the relevant appointment committees will shortlist candidates and interview them to ascertain their plans, with recommendations then made to the county board.

The new minor hurling and football managers — replacing Denis Ring and Donal O’Sullivan respectively — will be chosen by six-person committees.

Each of these will feature three members of the executive — yet to be appointed — two appointed by the county board and one representative of Rebel Óg. At the meeting, Charlie McCarthy and Richard Murphy were appointed from the floor to the hurling committee while Denis Harrington and Don Hegarty will help choose the new football manager. Paul McCarthy’s replacement as junior football manager will be appointed by a committee of five, three from the executive and Derek Connolly and Pat Murphy, who will represent the county board.

An update to the Cork and Kerry Munster SFC home-and-away arrangement was made, in light of the recent provincial final draw. Assuming that the counties clash next year, that game will once again be in Fitzgerald Stadium, with the next three games to take place at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Should there be no game next year, then Cork will host the following two matches.