Ryan defends board’s priorities

Cork County Board chairman Bob Ryan was forced to launch a vigorous defence of the decision to redevelop Páirc Uí Chaoimh at last night’s county board meeting.

At the meeting — the first since Cork’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final defeat by Tipperary last month — criticisms from Shamrocks delegate Patrick Andrews drew a sharp rebuke from Ryan.

Following a report on the Tipp defeat from senior hurling selector Seánie McGrath, Ryan thanked manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy and his team, saying that pride had been restored in the county in the three years since Barry-Murphy had returned to the job.

However, his assertion it hadn’t been Cork’s day prompted Andrews to speak up in opposition, echoing the recent comments of former goalkeeper Dónal Óg Cusack.

“We should look closer to home for the reasons,” he said.

“We’re redeveloping this stadium, which involves knocking this stand and building a new one and putting a lick of paint on the other three sides. If you build a 35,000-seater stadium, you knock €30m off the cost and can pump it into underage.

“I’ve been at Rebel Óg meetings where they’ve been crying out for pitches the night before games. Invest in pitches around the county and not one out the back. If you don’t agree that there’s a crisis in Cork hurling, then shame on you.”

Ryan was far from happy with the comments, however.

“The redevelopment of the stadium has been widely debated in this forum here, we have given everybody and anybody a right to speak,” he said.

“I do not agree Cork hurling is in crisis. We won a Munster title a short few weeks ago and have huge work going in at underage level.

“Our minors were unlucky to lose to what is probably the best in the country and I think it’s time people took the positive line where Cork hurling is concerned. I certainly refute your comments, I think they’re utter rubbish and it’s about time we moved on in a positive manner.

“This stadium will be redeveloped, regardless of where the knockers come from, and it will be done sooner rather than later. Cork hurling and football will never be down for long and they will progress long into the future.”

Ryan was supported in his views by a number of other delegates, including former chairman Mick Dolan, who praised the recent success by Cork underage sides featuring former players in management roles.

Meanwhile, tickets are still available for the lunch commemorating Cork’s 1989 All-Ireland senior football victory, which takes place this Friday. The team which won the county’s first All-Ireland in 16 years will be presented to the crowd before this year’s football decider on September 21.

On Friday, a drinks reception will be held at 12.15pm in the Rochestown Park Hotel, followed by lunch. Panel members and management will attend a Mass beforehand in honour of panel members John Kerins and Mick McCarthy.

Tickets are priced €70 each (€700 for table of 10). Enquiries can be made to Barry Coffey at 083-1490818.