Players’ row affected Bertie Óg resignation

SELECTOR Pat McDonnell broke his silence last night on the player controversy which has rocked Cork hurling.

McDonnell demanded that GAA chiefs in the county launch a full scale probe into "the tragic state of affairs" which led to the resignation of coach Bertie Óg Murphy.

He has walked away from one of hurling's top jobs after a rift emerged between players and management.

This followed claims by members of the senior squad that preparations for games were inadequate and that they were warned off joining the GPA.

However, former hurler of the year Pat McDonnell strongly rebutted such criticism and said he was disgusted by the circumstances surrounding the departure of the Cork boss.

"I find it difficult to comprehend how somebody who was so enthusiastic about Cork winning All-Irelands had the spirit drained from him in such a short time," McDonnell said.

"As far as I am concerned the county board cannot afford to leave such a decent, honourable person as Bertie, to walk away from his coaching position. If it happens it will be a sad day for Cork hurling."

McDonnell also said that Bertie Óg's decision was undoubtedly influenced by the outburst from Cork players last month.

"Bertie's decision to resign took us all by surprise but it is only human nature to be hurt by what some of the comments made by the players. They must have been a factor in his decision to relinquish the post.

"Loyalty to the players and the selectors was always Bertie's main priority and I am very disappointed and saddened by the recent turn of events. He deserves better."

McDonnell won three All-Ireland senior medals in the 1970s and served as a senior selector in the three subsequent decades.

He described the current situation as "tragic" given the effort and commitment which Bertie Óg Murphy had given since taking the role as coach.

The Bishopstown Community School principal added that the county board should plead with Murphy to continue as coach, stressing that his techniques and attention to detail could not be, and should not be, questioned.

"He organised new and better training facilities, better arrangements for food and gear etc, and he persuaded Teddy Owens to stay on as trainer.

"I never saw anybody so enthusiastic about the Cork coaching position as Bertie Óg when he was first appointed last year.

"He took over a team which was beaten in the first round of the championship the previous season and, unusually for Cork, had no All-Star nominations.

"But he immediately set about getting things in order to restore Cork hurling to its rightful place.

"He knew that new players were needed to bolster the panel, and by holding trials, he saw over 200 prospective players.

"These players were seen not just once, but at least three times, in challenge games before the panel was picked."

Yet McDonnell believes that the entire season hinged on the National League final defeat to eventual All-Ireland champions Kilkenny.

"Winning the National League would have given the team great self-confidence and it would have taken the pressure and the media attention off the players.

"But losing the league final was a huge disappointment for all concerned because it immediately raised questions about the ability of certain players again.

"In hindsight, Bertie's emphasis on winning the league was proved to be right as Kilkenny showed us by winning the double this year.

"Our championship exit was a legacy of our league final defeat."

McDonnell has also made an interesting observation with regards to the players' planned meeting with the Cork County Board executive.

"If Bertie's resignation is accepted at the next county board meeting scheduled for next Tuesday night, October 8 then it appears that the present hurling panel ceases to exist, even though their scheduled meeting with the county board executive has, for whatever reason, not taken place yet," McDonnel said.