Attention on Walsh ‘unfair’ after job snub

CORK COUNTY BOARD chairman Jerry O’Sullivan insists it is “unfair” to focus the attention regarding the appointment of Cork’s Games Promotion Officers on the fact that senior hurling boss Denis Walsh was overlooked for the post.

Tuesday night’s Cork county board meeting saw inter-county trio Brian Murphy, Martin Coleman and Paudie Kissane, along with Paudie O’Brien (Midleton) and Kevin O’Donovan (Kilmeen/Kilbree) named as the new officers, with Walsh not selected for the job.

“There were over 100 people who applied,” stated O’Sullivan. “Denis was in running, but it’s unfair on him and everyone else to focus (on him). As regards the double-jobbing as a senior manager and holding this coaching position, that was a complication.

“But numerous excellent candidates who applied did not get the job. It was not the board that selected these people. We were represented by Munster Council and Croke Park officials, with Des Cullinane on the committee as our representative. The fact is that we have five excellent people. People have been crying out for this assistance and it’s a welcome step.”

Meanwhile access to Páirc Uí Chaoimh has been described as “a major health and safety risk” by a new report released by the Cork GAA Clubs Forum. The report has called for a 10-year development plan to be implemented to upgrade the stadium, which has come in for major criticism in recent years.

The health and safety issue has been identified as a major concern, stating that “matchday ticketing arrangements and access to stadium needs urgent attention with the system posing a major Health & Safety risk”. Other improvements that are sought are modern dressing rooms, the installation of floodlights, better seating, improved toilet facilities, the development of warm-up areas and improved catering facilities.