Kenny: Clubs hold the key to solving dispute

Cork hurler Tom Kenny today urged all clubs to return to the Maryborough Hotel this Sunday to further discuss the current Cork crisis.

In recent days a number of clubs held special meetings on the impasse, with members having their say on Gerald McCarthy’s position as 2009 hurling boss, and on the way in which delegates vote on important matters.

Nemo Rangers last night gave their backing to the hurlers and a host of other clubs will hold meetings between now and Saturday night.

More than 400 club representatives attended a fiery meeting in the Maryborough Hotel nine days ago, where the players received almost universal backing from those in attendance.

It had been decided at that meeting, clubs would return this Sunday to see what the next step in this saga will be.

It is very much unchartered waters for clubs and the players, as backing for the 2008 hurling panel could be viewed as a vote of no confidence in the board executive itself, while board chairman Jerry O’Sullivan has repeatedly stated they will not take any more motions on the issue.

Kenny believes the clubs still hold the key.

“We’re looking for the support of the clubs and hopefully there will be as big a turnout as the last day. We’d like clubs to come back with the ballot results on the motions on club-headed paper and signed by the club officers.

“They should include mobile numbers and club numbers with them, state whether the club is senior, intermediate or junior, and bring the results in an envelope with the club name on the outside.”

Kenny is hoping the board’s insistence any club meetings “have no standing in rule”, won’t dissuade clubs from attending.

“There was a positive response from clubs and they were interested in coming again. Clubs that were not there the last time, we’d like them to come as well.

“Whether it’s good news or bad news, we want to hear from them. There was 150 to 160 clubs represented at the last meeting, which was a fantastic turnout.”

Kenny insisted that if the club ballots go against the players, they accept their decision.

“We said we’d live and die by the sword. If it comes back against us, it does that. But we hope clubs can see where we’re coming from.”

He also stated the views of ordinary club members must be acknowledged.

“When you’ve people marching on the street, voices have to be heard. The club members that support us feel they are not getting their voice heard. Ten thousand people protesting is a testament that people aren’t lying down.”

Article courtesy of the Evening Echo newspaper.