Cork sweat on Barry-Murphy decision

Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s future as Cork senior hurling manager could be determined by next week.

Barry-Murphy’s three-year term in charge officially came to an end after the 2-18 to 1-11 All-Ireland SHC semi-final defeat by Tipperary in August, though it is believed it will be left up to him as to whether to stay on.

The semi-final appearance this year matched that of 2012, when Cork lost to Galway, while last year they were seconds away from beating Clare in the final before losing the replay.

This year’s Munster championship victory was Cork’s first since 2006.

The St Finbarr’s man is currently away and Cork County Board chairman Bob Ryan hopes that a meeting will take place next week to ascertain whether or not there is interest in maintaining the status quo.

“Jimmy’s not around this week,” Ryan said, “but when he comes back next week there will be a meeting to discuss the situation.

“Obviously, he has done a great job in the three years since he came back, getting to an All-Ireland final, two semi-finals, winning Munster this year and getting to a National League final.

“Since the Tipperary game there have been some discussions with Jimmy but nothing concrete was decided on for next year.

“Hopefully Jimmy will decide to stay on, as the players and everybody connected with Cork hurling would be very pleased if that was to be the case. Obviously, there’s a process to be followed in these things and the first part of that process is to meet with Jimmy and establish what the landscape is.”

Meanwhile, Cork County Board is awaiting the report of referee David Daly following the abandonment of Wednesday night’s RedFM Senior Hurling League clash between St Finbarr’s and Newtownshandrum.

Following the outbreak of a brawl with about 10 minutes left, it was decided not to continue with the game and the clubs could face sanctions, depending on what is outlined in the report.

While the Barr’s are unable to qualify for the knockout stages of the league, Newtown were in a position to do so if they were to win their outstanding games.

Meanwhile, referee Barry Kelly will “definitely” be available for duty for the 2015 inter-county season, despite being heavily criticised by Kilkenny manager Brian Cody after last weekend’s All-Ireland senior hurling final replay.

There had been suggestions after the drawn final between Kilkenny and Tipperary that Kelly, who refereed the game, might step down from the intercounty refereeing panel after this year, and Cody’s criticism of Kelly last weekend fuelled speculation the Westmeath native might opt out of top-flight refereeing next season.

However, sources close to Kelly ended such speculation last night when confirming that he would “definitely be available for 2015”.

Cody had said of Kelly: “At the end of the day [Tipperary] were handed an opportunity with the last puck of the game the last day in the wrong to win the game. They were handed an opportunity by a complete wrong decision.

“We didn’t speak about it the last day but it was criminal what was done the last day.

“And people can say that I am whingeing and moaning all they like but I am telling the truth here.”

The GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee is expected to investigate the situation in the coming weeks.