A clear picture on the dispute
The poll, taken a week after the interim resolution of the crisis, is a robust and representative measure of all adults aged 18+, sampled in a wide number of locations across County Cork. As such, it provides clear representation of both loyal and more occasional supporters’ views within the Cork area.
More than two in five (41%) believe Frank Murphy and the Cork County Board to be primarily responsible for the latest impasse. In contrast, Gerald McCarthy is blamed by just 15% and the Cork hurlers themselves by just 14% of all adults. Nearly one in five also believe the best way to avoid future strikes is for the Cork secretary to step down, with 18% stating this should happen.
While Gerald McCarthy and his management team are not blamed by a significant proportion of the public, the majority (79%) do agree that he was right to step down as manager.
There is a general lack of confidence among the people of Cork that the current disputes are over, with three in five suggesting they feel more strikes are possible. 55% of respondents do not agree with incoming GAA president Christy Cooney, that the current dispute is sorted. There is clearly more to do if the board is to return to a more stable footing in the eyes of the public.
Of perhaps most concern is the fact one in three people in the county (34%) say they are now less interested in the fortunes of Cork hurling and football as a result of recent problems. But there would appear to be hope for the future, as half the population in the county think that future strikes can be avoided through the new selection process for county managers. To win back confidence of fans, the selection process must to be transparent, while the poll suggests fans want decisive actions against those they blame most for the problems in the first place.
* Richard Colwell is managing director of Red C
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