John Coleman: Cairde Chorcaí must make friends with grassroots

If the Cairde Chorcaí project succeeds in engaging the masses, as well as the classes, then Cork could finally be the force they should be, says John Coleman.

First off, let’s eliminate the pretence. Cork are the biggest underachievers in the GAA. On the field and off the field, they should be doing better. Of course, no matter what, things can always be done better, but it is especially true of Cork.

To be fair, in some ways, things do seem to be improving — new stadium, potential for a decent hurling team, improved underage set up — but other elements are just trundling along as they always did... which is badly. Nowhere consistent to train, lack of All-Irelands at any level, calling Liam Griffin’s request for voting transparency at Congress ‘sinister’. And football.