County board: appointment process not flawed
Rebel GAA chiefs issued an official statement which backed embattled manager Gerald McCarthy, and insisted that the process to re-appoint him for two-year term as Cork senior hurling boss was not flawed.
The Board strongly refuted claims by Cork hurler Ben O’Connor that there had been “no process” to appoint a new manager.
The board statement read: “Like all those interested in hurling and sport in general, Cork County Board very much regrets the latest turn of events in the county.
“The board re-affirms its support for its properly appointed hurling manager, Gerald McCarthy, and expresses its admiration for his resolve in the current, difficult circumstances.
“We have no wish to become involved in a tit for tat exchange of statements in the media with player representatives. However, it is important to say this.
“Board members involved in the selection process for the new manager are at a loss to understand how player representatives could claim that the process was flawed from the outset. Five meetings took place, four of which were perfectly cordial and constructive.”
On the issue of whether any other candidates for the Cork hurling manager post were proposed during the selection meetings, the county board insist the two player representatives never presented any other candidate for consideration.
“At the commencement of the process, the selection committee was unaware that Gerald McCarthy would even be available for the coming season.
“At the third meeting, there was a discussion of the names of other possible managers and at no stage was it suggested that any of those talented coaches was superior to Gerald McCarthy.
“When a vote was called at the fifth meeting, player representatives walked out.”
The board also defended its own position and declared that the attacks that have received from players “have become something of a cliché.”
They pleaded with the players to reconsider their position and help solve the impasse by resuming their inter-county hurling careers with Cork.
“Cork County Board may have been guilty of misjudgements in the past but few can deny that we have made adjustments to take account of changed times, new values and circumstances.
“But as representatives of the wider GAA family in Cork, we would ask the players, particularly those in leadership positions, to consider whether their current action and threatened action is justified, proportionate or fair.
“We sincerely appeal to them to step back from all of this, to resume their careers, to allow others to resume theirs, and to remember that Cork hurling is bigger than any individual, set of individuals or county board.”
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