‘Remedial action vital for Cork football’

THE time has come for “remedial action” to be taken in the coaching of Gaelic football in Cork if further progress is to be made, says county secretary Frank Murphy in his report to convention.

He calls for a review of the policy governing dual players, believing that it has hindered the development of the senior football team.

Pointing out that it's planned to organise four development squads in the two codes next summer covering the age groups 16 and 17 Mr Murphy exhorts that the coaching and games programmes should be based on the traditional aspects of both hurling and Gaelic football.

"There is a particular need to examine this situation in football.

"The dominance of the possession and passing game is seen quite often as quite aimless and getting us nowhere," he writes.

"Let us get back to the basics to have players properly coached in fielding and in kicking the ball.

"Other counties have realised this necessity. It is time to take remedial action."

In reviewing the progress of the various county teams and highlighting "the splendour and brilliance" of the performances by the senior hurlers, he recalls that the "expectancy" of a good performance against Kerry in the Munster SFC wasn't realised. However, he argues that any serious analysis of their football strength should take account of the non-availability to the senior squad of a number of "star dual players."

"No county can afford to be without several of its best players in the code and still expect to succeed. The view is taken that in the modern-day championships the dual player is a non-starter.

"This is debatable and there must be a scope for a compromise that would be beneficial to our footballing prospects." Referring to the senior hurlers' defeat to Waterford in the Munster final, he says it was regrettable that the players and management endured "unfair criticism and sarcasm" from sections of the media and from "so-called supporters."

"Perhaps this motivated all concerned into proving the critics wrong," he comments.

He added that after their brilliant final performance nobody could "doubt the merit of an exceptional team."

Mr Murphy recalls the controversial game against Laois in the All-Ireland minor football quarter-final and its aftermath. In his view, the disciplinary proceedings which followed "left a lot to be desired." At domestic level, he describes the SHC as one of the best in years, but rates the football equivalent as unexceptional.

There are currently 30 teams participating and in his view a number of the clubs are not up to the required standard. Limiting the number of club steams to around 16 would make it far more competitive.

On the financial front, the board recorded a healthy profit in its revenue, grounds and draw accounts. Gate receipts amounted to over €1 million a figure comparable to the total cost of preparing the various inter-county teams over the course of the year.