Bertie Óg: no going back on decision to quit

BERTIE Óg Murphy has emphatically ruled out a return as Cork hurling coach next season irrespective of the outcome of talks between Cork GAA chiefs and the Cork hurlers.

Speculation that Murphy may be persuaded to stay on was put to bed by the Glanmire man yesterday.

"My decision to resign the position is definite and there is no turning around," he commented, in the wake of indications that Murphy could be lured back to the post he quit after only one season.

Murphy added: "I resigned as Cork senior hurling coach and that decision is final. I deeply appreciate the support I have received since I announced that decision, but I have absolutely no intention of changing my mind."

Although Murphy and team trainer Ted Owens have submitted their resignations in writing to the Cork County Board, they have as yet, to be ratified.

At this week's board meeting, chairman Jim Cronin announced that the resignations tendered by Murphy and Owens were being held in abeyance and would be included in the final report after talks between the executive and players' representatives had ended.

This gave rise to the speculation that Murphy's position as coach could be part of the package worked out by the two parties.

Pat McDonnell, who acted as a selector with Murphy, had told this newspaper that the board could not

afford to leave such a decent, honourable person as Bertie Óg walk away from his coaching position.

"If that happens it will be a sad day for Cork hurling," he had said.

However, Murphy's announcement yesterday that his decision to resign was "irrevocable" has closed firmly the door on the possibility that he would reconsider resigning and continue as coach.

Owens stepped down as trainer after five years in the position and cited family and business reasons for his decision. But the reasons for Murphy's decision have yet to be made public.

However, it is clear that the decision by the hurlers to go public on what they termed mistreatment they

received from last season's management team influenced greatly Murphy's decision to step aside.

McDonnell was under no illusions as to the reasons for Murphy's departure when he stated publicly: "Bertie Óg's decision was undoubtedly influenced by the outburst from Cork players last month."

However, Murphy added yesterday that he was delighted that the board and players were taking part in discussions and was hopeful that they would have a fruitful outcome and that the air would be cleared finally.

What is interesting now, in the light of Murphy's announcement that his resignation stands, is what stance the three other selectors McDonnell, PJ Murphy and John Meyler who served on the five-man selection committee with Murphy, will take.

The fifth selector, board secretary Frank Murphy, was a nominee of county champions Blackrock, and his fate rests with his club, who retained their county title recently.