New Cork football coach’s hands tied on selectors

THE new Cork senior football coach won’t enjoy the same privileges as his hurling counterpart following a decision by delegates at this week’s County Board meeting.

Last December new hurling coach Donal O’Grady was given the right pick his own selectors, and it was expected that the same process would apply for the football.

However, that will not be the case and instead a seven-man committee, comprising of four officers and three board delegates, will meet shortly to nominate names for the position of coach and selectors.

County Board chairman Jim Forbes said he was surprised that the delegates didn’t opt for the same system that applied in hurling.

“Apart from one delegate who suggested that the same criteria should apply for football, there was no support from the floor,” said Forbes.

The composition of the committee has not been announced but the three delegates chosen are: Finbarr Hennessy (Dohenys), Denis Owens (St. Nicholas) and Bob Honohan (Bishopstown).

The County Board chairman said yesterday he expects the new management team to be in place by the end of September.

Former coach Billy Morgan is on record as saying he always favoured the coach having the right to pick his own selectors. The present incumbent, Larry Tompkins, who has been seven years in charge, has so far not indicated his interest or otherwise in the position.

There was yet another attempt at the County Board meeting to deny the county champions the right to have a representative on the selection committee but this was again rejected on a 41 to 29 vote.

Meanwhile Tipperary County Board have acceded to a request from Cork to postpone the Munster Under 21 hurling final from August 6, four days before the Leesiders are due to play the All-Ireland senior semi-final.

The game has been put back to Thursday, July 31 at Semple Stadium with a 7.15pm throw-in. Michael Wadding (Waterford) is the referee.

As a consequence of that decision the two semi-finals of the under 21 football championship, Kerry v Tipperary and Cork v Waterford, have been deferred to August 15.