10 standout recommendations from the latest plan for Cork GAA

Cork GAA coaching officer Kevin O’Donovan last night circulated a plan for Cork GAA, featuring 25 proposals to arrest the decline of hurling and football in the county. GAA writer, Eoghan Cormican, picks out 10 standout recommendations.

1. Regular, meaningful games for our adult club players

"A group stage model appears to represent the best way forward. The most appropriate place to start in Cork would be a sixteen-team club competition split into groups of four. The divisional/university teams would play each other until a number of four was reached and these four teams would then play the group stage runners-up with the winners proceeding to the county quarter-finals versus the group winners."

2. Appointment of Directors of Football and Hurling

"While the dual-mandate of officers and staff is a worthy one, a need for designated personnel to oversee specific, coordinated development programmes in both football and hurling is necessary. The persons would have a high level of independence in the role. The position would be a full-time one with offices based at the main Centre of Excellence."

3. Appointment of a Head of Physical Development

"This person would oversee physical conditioning programmes with all county teams. These would be implemented without deviation by a voluntary physical coach with each team."

4. County and Regional Centres of Excellence

"The establishment of long-term licence agreements with both CIT and UCC is essential. In addition, licence agreements with potential regional bases in clubs such as Clonakilty or Mallow are also necessary."

5. Appointment of a full-time ‘Junior Administrator’ for Rebel Óg

"The employment of a full-time fixture planner/manager for all underage games would bring many benefits. Such a role would incorporate all club, school and county fixtures under a single system."

6. Re-define primary age groups at U17, U15, U13, U11, U9, U7 for a pilot period

"Reducing the club minor age grade from U18 to U17 would break the link between adult and juvenile competitions and therefore allow more streamlined competition formats and games programmes."

7. Design of Player Development Programmes for players aged 18-25

"Clear inconsistencies are evident from minor upwards in terms of coordinated player development programmes and planning. Mixed messages are leading to confused players."

8. Establish a Representative Body for Club Players

"While the GPA meets the needs of the county player, the club player is left without a voice."

9. Establish Friends of Cork GAA

"Given the potential corporate support available throughout the city and county and the army of supporters for Cork teams, a supporters club should be formed immediately, incorporating all Cork supporters whether ‘big or small’."

10. A Call to Arms

"We appear to be unique as an exporter of coaching talent to other counties. All efforts must be made to recruit all former Cork players and coaches, without exception."

The report in full ...