Cork chiefs to host club talks rather than have board meeting
The board executive has invited chairpersons and secretaries of all Cork clubs and divisional committees, together with county board members, to meet at the Rochestown Park Hotel on Tuesday at 8pm; the county board meeting planned for that night will now take place next Thursday at Pairc Uí Chaoimh.
This means that within one week, clubs will have had three different forums to discuss the Cork GAA crisis — last night’s meeting in Clonakilty, the 08 hurlers’ meeting with club representatives tomorrow night and the Tuesday night board briefing.
Meanwhile, Cork supporters planning to march in support of the 2008 panel have not ruled out taking “dignified action” at the GAA Congress next month if the dispute is not resolved.
Congress is scheduled for Cork on April 17-18 and organisers of the protest march tomorrow say they will convey their concerns over the GAA dispute on Leeside to Congress delegates if it has not been resolved by then.
“We welcome the GAA Congress to Cork but if this matter is not resolved we will be taking dignified action to make our point to Congress delegates,” said march organisers yesterday. “We would be asking them to take our concerns on board at that point.”
Tomorrow’s march will leave Kennedy Park at 1.30pm and arrive at Pairc Ui Chaoimh for the Cork-Fermanagh NFL game, which begins at 2.30pm.
“We’re expecting a good turnout,” said march organisers yesterday. “We’ve been overwhelmed by the response to the march, which has been very positive. It’s going to be a family-friendly, fun day out in support of our footballers. We’re taking a lead from our hurlers and footballers, who have been dignified throughout this dispute and have not personalised matters.
“Despite what the county board has said, we are genuine Cork supporters. The primary aim of the march is to support our footballers, and the secondary aim is to show the board we support our hurlers fully. We want to see Cork’s top players line out in the league and championship.”
March organisers confirmed yesterday that they plan to deliver a letter outlining their concerns to Cork GAA secretary Frank Murphy at half-time in the game.
Pressure continues to build on the executive of the board with more clubs coming out in favour of the two motions proposed by the players (calling for Gerald McCarthy’s removal and changing how delegates vote on significant issues). On Thursday night Douglas backed the players, voting 134-19 on McCarthy’s removal and 149-5 on the delegate issue, while Passage and St Mary’s have also backed the players.
Last night Glen Rovers voted to adopt a neutral stance, while Carrigtwohill voted overwhelmingly, 125-16, in favour of the removal of the Gerald McCarthy’s management team while Castletownroche voted 33-5 in favour of the two motions.
Watergrasshill held a Special General Meeting last night where it was decided to support both motions put forward by 49 votes to seven.
The first was a recommendation that all major decisions be discussed by clubs before voting at county board level, and the second asking for the removal of the management team.
Churchtown in North Cork voted 24-0 on McCarthy’s removal with one abstention.
