Uncertainty surrounds Rebel peace talks

UNCERTAINTY surrounds the proposed peace talks in the Cork GAA dispute, with parties remaining tightlipped since Croke Park offered to intervene on Tuesday evening.

Cork County Board PRO Ger Lane outlined yesterday the sequence of events which led to county board delegates voting on the offer at the board meeting last Tuesday.

“Late on Tuesday evening the county board secretary was contacted by Croke Park,” said Lane.

“The GAA was willing to help out and asked us to contact Gerald McCarthy, as they were making direct contact with the players.

“Gerald was willing to go along with their suggestions to try to bring the matter to a resolution.

“We have had no further details, but in fairness, they were in contact only two days ago.”

The delay is likely to be due to the fact that most high-ranking Association officials attending the funeral of GAA President Nickey Brennan’s mother yesterday.

Lane said that the board had welcomed the offer as a possible resolution, and delegates had voted 94-24 in favour of accepting it.

“Generally it’s a positive move,” he said. “Anyone trying to get it sorted out, we would welcome that.’’

The offer marks a remarkable about-turn from the GAA authorities.

Before Christmas they had indicated that the dispute was a local one and that they would not be getting involved.

When both hurling and football panels withdrew their services in late 2007, Croke Park officials took a similar view, but eventually appointed Labour Relations Commission (LRC) chief Kieran Mulvey to hammer out a deal which saw then football manager Teddy Holland and his management team step down.

Paraic Duffy, the GAA’s director-general, joined Mulvey in the preliminary round of talks between the LRC boss and the players, but it is not clear whether Duffy will be involved on this occasion.

As of yesterday the 2008 senior hurling panel had not been contacted by Croke Park.

Meanwhile a supporters’ march will take place in Cork city in support of the 2008 Cork hurling squad on Saturday.

Supporters are being asked to assemble at Emmet Place, outside Cork Opera House before 3pm after which a march will take place in the city centre. The march is being organised by well known Cork supporter Tom ‘Bomber’ Roche, who organised last year’s marches.