Walsh blasts training ban
Walsh, speaking at the launch of a new jersey at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last night, described the policy as “nonsense”.
He said: “Cork have been out of competitive action since we went out of the championship several months ago, and counties in a similar position shouldn’t have to wait another two months before getting back into the swing of things. It’s nonsense as far as we are concerned.”
He refused to comment on who is in – or out – of his squad for 2010.
“January is the date I’ve laid down for players to decide whether they are going to be part of the squad or not.
“We have been inactive for almost six months, which gives plenty of time for players to make their minds up.
“Come January, I will need to know who is in or out. It’s then the work will commence and I want to have our squad ready by then. Of course the door will always be open for players to come in, should they measure. That has always been the case. The selectors have been out and about running the rule over players in the various grades of county and Munster club championships in recent months. It would be safe to say there is a lot of talent out there, but I’ll talk more about that in January.”
Football coach Conor Counihan is also looking forward to the new season. He revealed the squad is due to go on holiday to Thailand in early January for a fortnight before planning for the league in February.
Asked if there would be any retirements among his players, he replied: “I’ve heard nothing, and I don’t expect I will. From talking to players they are all keen to get back into the fray as soon as possible.
“Like with the hurlers, the football door is always open for players to come in. The U21 All-Ireland victories earlier this year showed there is a great crop of young talent emerging, but it may take another year or two for them to mature. But there is always the exception to the rule.”
Walsh said he would have no issue with the possible dual involvement of Eoin Cadogan who impressed for the hurlers at full back earlier this year.
Counihan said: “I was a dual player myself and I know the demands that brings, but should Cadogan want to go down that road, I will facilitate in every way I can.”
Speaking at last night’s launch, O2 sponsorship manager Enda Lynch said his company was delighted to have recently finalised a new three-year deal with the county board.
“Since we first came on board, Cork has won 18 All-Ireland titles in the various grades, and I sincerely hope the county will win many more in their new strip.”
Meanwhile, Tomas Ryan, Dripsey club delegate, reiterated his call for a postponement of the Central Council meeting scheduled to discuss the groundbreaking GPA agreement, though he welcomed the fact that clubs within the county would have an opportunity to discuss the issue.
“The other night I suggested that, that meeting should be put off, but (board Central Council delegate) Bob Honohan said he didn’t feel that it would be postponed,” said Ryan.
“I know headquarters are the bosses, but this is a very big issue to come to a decision on without consulting the grass roots of the association.
“I have no problem with it if the grassroots members of the GAA are happy with it, but there should be more time to discuss the matter.”
Ryan added that the GAA-GPA deal was “one of the most important matters” to come up for discussion at the Cork County Board in years, “We got a press release and we dealt with it at the county board meeting,” said Ryan. “We haven’t had a lot of time to tease it out. There’s talk of €250,000 for this year and the same next year, but we didn’t want a decision taken the other night, because there were a lot of clubs not represented at the meeting.
“It’s one of the most important matters to come before the board in a long time. The opening of Croke Park was a temporary measure but this could be in place for a long time.”
Ryan chaired the Cork GAA Clubs Forum, which sought reform of county board structures in the wake of last year’s stand-off over senior hurling manager Gerald McCarthy, and he said last night the board’s decision to refer the agreement to the clubs for discussion was a step in the right direction.
“It’s a move towards what we were seeking with the club forum,” said Ryan. “We wanted all important matters be sent to the clubs for consideration, because they’re a hugely important part of the association. I’m glad that it’s gone back to the clubs for their say, because then there’s nobody to blame only themselves if they’re not happy with the results.”
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