Cock-up or not, Rebel fans rally to the cause of the striking players
But there is nothing normal these days about Cork GAA and yesterday in the region of 800 Rebel supporters took to the streets of their city to vent anger at the row that has ruined their football and hurling season.
“Holland Go, Holland Go, Holland Go,” they roared at a rally in Daunt Square, a reference to embattled football coach Teddy Holland.
Organised by Tom Roche, of Millfield Cottages, Blackpool, the rally was preceded by a march up and down St Patrick St, against a background of drum rolls and the whine of a set of bagpipes.
Paul Creighton, also of Millfield Cottages, said the demonstration proved the striking players had the support of their fans and the “only honourable thing” the county board could now do was to resign en masse and reconstitute itself, taking the concerns of players and fans into account.
“This row has polarised feelings in the county between players and county board and fans and county board and, in the interest of getting the affair sorted, the board should resign and Teddy should stand down,” said Mr Creighton.
Tigger Walsh, golden retriever, wagged his tail in agreement.
His owner, Dan Walsh, of Ballincollig, said failure to resolve the row — over who should be entitled to choose selectors — would deprive his dog of seeing his champions play in an All-Ireland final, an annual event in his five short years of life.
In Daunt Square, the revolutionaries warmed up the crowd by belting out a few bars of The Boys of Fairhill.
Tom Roche, and then senior county footballer Noel O’Leary took the stand to say a few words — into a microphone as useful as an empty Heineken bottle at the end of the night in a crowded pub.
Nonetheless, his presence was enough to inspire a rousing roar of support before diehard supporter Cyril Kavanagh, of Farranree closed proceedings with an energetic burst of “De Banks”.
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