Keher predicts ‘ripple effect’ on association

HURLING legend Eddie Keher believes the crisis in Cork will have ‘a ripple effect’ on the GAA nationwide.

Keher, who has supported outgoing manager Gerald McCarthy throughout the stand-off, is concerned the landscape of the Association is changing for the worse following the Cork boss’s decision to step down.

“I am very disappointed that the Cork clubs would treat a man that has done so much for hurling in the county — and in the country — in this way. He can hold his head up high after all of this.”

Though McCarthy’s tenure is over, Keher is fearful for the future in Cork and nationwide.

“I am very much afraid of the lessons to be learned from this. It may have a ripple effect on the whole structure of the Association where the players dictate to county boards.

“I am disappointed from this point of view. It is a realistic fear. The players in Cork have won and now I can see it (battle between managers and players) happening in clubs and counties. I am disappointed it was not dealt with in a firm way and that the members of the clubs didn’t see the damage which it would have.”

Antrim hurling boss Terence ‘Sambo’ McNaughton said he was sorry for McCarthy: “but I think it is good for Cork hurling and for the whole of the GAA. I’m glad to see that this has been resolved but it is something which is happening more and more in the GAA, look at the incidents in Offaly, Wexford and Waterford in the last 12 months.

“Maybe my day will come at some stage! This issue of managers versus players is going to be a sideshow of the GAA in the years to come.

“How will I remember Gerald? Gerald McCarthy was one of Cork’s finest hurlers and nobody should ever forget that.”

Former Offaly star and TV3 analyst Daithí Reagan insisted that there will be ‘a lot of casualties’ following this dispute.

“It was on the cards but it is a shock at that the same time when you read Gerald’s statement. This is not a victory for the players. There are a lot of casualties

“Reports of threats to his family are disgraceful. This is hurling at the end of the day.

“It is sickening how things have turned out. As far as I can see, this was not just an issue with Gerald McCarthy, this ultimately all had to do with Frank Murphy. Some of the players complaints about Gerald were staggering. One player claimed that Gerald had told him he was not going to seek reappointment. But is a manager not allowed to change his mind? Another player complained he didn’t get an explanation when he was taken off. Maybe he had a bad game!

“Who would want the job? Donal O’Grady or John Allen are being touted as interim managers but that would be unpalatable to the Board.

“But I think that this has gone way beyond the hurling dispute. This is about settling old scores between the grassroots and the executive. Clubs in Cork smell blood. There is a feeling that they have waited a long time for this and now they have an opportunity for the end game. My information is that there is a lot more to come out and serious questions will be asked of the executive.”

When contacted last night a GPA spokesperson said they would not comment on the matter until they had time to study Gerald McCarthy’s statement in full.