O’Sullivan: Murphy will be some act to follow
Murphy, secretary since 1972 and considered one of the most powerful men in the Association, looks set to retire from the prestigious position before 2011, and possibly as early as next year.
Despite the announcement, made at a Cork County Board executive meeting on Tuesday, O’Sullivan insisted that Mr Murphy remains set to play an integral role in GAA matters on Leeside.
He explained: “Frank Murphy has not left the job, and I don’t want to be talking about him in the past tense just yet.
“He has been runai of the board since 1972 and is one of the most recognised figures in Cork GAA and further afield. And he will continue to be that.
“We are well aware of what he has achieved as an administrator, as an official, as a selector and as a referee across the GAA at national level.
“But Cork was always his priority. He will be some act to follow.”
O’Sullivan said that few people realised the workload which Murphy faced on a daily basis.
“Being runai of Cork is the equivalent of being the chief executive of a big company.
“The sheer volume of work is immense and is never-ending. And Frank has achieved so much in that regard.”
O’Sullivan said that the process to find Murphy’s successor has not yet begun – nor will it be likely to happen for some time.
“We don’t want to be putting the cart before the horse just yet. It would be most unfair to start that process right now. Frank Murphy is and will continue to be the county secretary for some time.
“To be fair, that is a bridge we will have to cross, but today is not the day to be talking about that.
“That will be dealt with in time and I would expect that there would be some crossover period for the new person to bed in and learn the ropes.”
As to the contract term, Mr O’Sullivan replied: “Most of the appointments now in the GAA are on a seven-year contract basis.”
Meanwhile, county PRO Ger Lane admitted that the redevelopment of Páirc Uí Chaoimh and its facilities will be Murphy’s chief priority before his term in office ends.
The famous Leeside venue is in urgent need of a facelift to keep in line with equivalent stadiums in Munster, and nationwide.
Lane agreed: “It is a major priority for us going forward and there is a great awareness that Páirc Uí Chaoimh is in need of a huge facelift and also an upgrading in facilities.
“The board are very conscious that this needs to be done sooner rather than later and I have no doubt that our secretary will be working overtime to see it come to fruition before he leaves office.”
Lane also heaped praise on Mr Murphy for his contributions to the GAA at county and national level.
He said: “Páirc Uí Rinn and the elimination of the debt in Páirc Uí Chaoimh and the Cork County Board draw are just a few of the great success stories and the great victories of the Cork teams since he took office are also a tribute to his prowess.”
He added: “He has been a leader in so many aspect of GAA life in this country and when he does leave the post of county secretary he will leave many rich legacies.”
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