Cork chiefs extend olive branch

CORK GAA chiefs last night extended an olive branch to the county’s striking hurlers as hopes increased for an early resolution to the dispute.

The Board executive told a two- hour meeting that communications were continuing between both parties, with some of the players' demands already advanced by the Board.

However, the Board defended the decision not to travel by air to Derry for a National League game, pointing out the cost would have been around €13,000.

Board delegates, however, argued the team should have travelled by air as a "once off".

The county will also have a complete new hurling management team in place for next season after the remaining selectors tendered their resignations last night.

PJ Murphy, Pat McDonnell and John Meyler told county board chiefs they were stepping down in support of the earlier move to step aside by coach, Bertie Og Murphy.

It also emerged that county secretary Frank Murphy turned down the opportunity to return to the selection committee for the senior hurlers, having been re-nominated by county champions Blackrock.

In a letter to the meeting, the Blackrock club criticised the "shoddy and disgraceful" manner in which their nominee, Mr Murphy, had been treated.

"We consider the criticism of the selectors by some players as unjustified," the selectors said in a statement, "but we nonetheless hope that our decision will, in some way, help to resolve the present situation."

They added: "We were a very united group of selectors, as four of us have been in team management together over a number of years.

"As independent-thinking people, we all had an equal voice in all matters, and were not unduly influenced by any particular member (of the selection committee).

"To suggest otherwise is an insult to us."

Furious Blackrock officials told delegates, by letter, that they strongly protested at the manner in which their nominee as a Cork selector had been treated in this "regrettable controversy."

Blackrock said they would defer their decision on a replacement selector until such time as the controversy had been ended.

At last night's highly charged meeting, it emerged that secretary Frank Murphy had spoken yesterday to one of the striking hurlers and had urged him to convince his colleagues to resume discussions with the Board executive.

Mr. Murphy said there had been further progress on issues since the last formal communication between the parties by letter last Wednesday.

"We have been able to advance some issues further, and the executive has been positive in dealing with these issues."

Mr Murphy produced a letter he had written to Joe Deane two days before the players' press conference, which he believed formed "a strong basis for resolution" of the dispute.

"There obviously are a few areas that are under the control of Central Council. There are certain areas where there are difficulties, but that doesn't stop us advocating change."

Chairman of the Board, Jim Cronin revealed the gymnasium issue would be sorted, even if it meant hiring six gyms around the county. The Board has already identified four of those, he declared.

The secretary, chairman and vice chairman Jim Forbes all sent out conciliatory signals to the players, increasing hopes of a resumption of talks and a resolution to the deadlock.

Added Mr Murphy: "The executive position is a positive one.

"It would be hoped that the process can be successfully concluded shortly, in the interests of Cork hurling."