Tompkins rules out return to Rebel fold

LARRY TOMPKINS last night ruled himself out of the running to succeed Teddy Holland as Cork football manager.

Tompkins, who captained the Rebels to All-Ireland glory in 1990 before taking charge of the side between 1997 and 2003, expressed relief last night that the player strike has come to an end.

With manager Holland asked to step aside, Tompkins made it clear he would not take the role — even on interim basis — if asked by county board chiefs.

He insisted: “I’ve had my stint and I’ve made that quite clear in the past. Whoever comes in needs to bring a fresh approach with them, and make a clean start.”

Despite the war of words between all parties over the past 95 days, Tompkins is confident Cork GAA can get back on track and recapture the glory days in both hurling and football. He also pleaded with those hurt by the controversy to forgive and forget and “not to hold grudges”.

He admitted: “It is great that we will see both the Cork teams back on the field of play. That is the most important thing. If they didn’t play the leagues, I don’t think they would have featured in the championships.

“There is an old saying that a true reflection of anyone is their ability to move on and not to hold grudges. I really feel for the lads like Teddy Holland and it was just unfortunate that things worked out the way the did.

“But it is a good sign of a person’s character if they can move on from this. They must think of the bigger picture — this is not about one or two people — this is about Cork GAA.”

He also expressed confidence that Cork football is on the cusp of greatness again, citing the recent success at Under-21 level.

“I wouldn’t say that 2008 is written off. Looking at the football situation, there is an abundance of talent coming through. Cork didn’t have that since we were winning All-Ireland 18 or 19 years ago.

“This is an encouraging period of time for Cork football. They must use the league to develop a few of the young guys and learn from the experience of the past.

“The league is not going be easy given their lack of preparation and the pressure they are going be under — pressure they could have done without after last year’s All-Ireland final defeat.

“The Cork footballers can take solace from the spirit they shown during the strike. They have gained the respect of many over the last couple of months.

“Now they need to gain respect from the Cork public on the field of play.”

Another former Cork All-Ireland winning skipper — Tomas Mulcahy — welcomed the resolution but questioned the wisdom of affording the players two places on the management selection panel.

Mulcahy, who led the Rebels to honours in 1990, told Newstalk last night: “I backed the players on the basis of the manager having the right to pick his selectors but I wouldn’t agree with the players going on strike.

“I know that they have come to some agreement from the arbitration that two of the players now represent with the five-man executive of the board to pick the next manager. I think that is a step too far for the players at this stage. They get two players that have a voice in a seven-man committee so I think the players should have kept out of that one.”