O Grady in the Examiner today. Now i realise he knows the players well and is probably friends with some or most of them, but he is right about our secretary.
Murphy must talk Frankly to Cork public
THE 2008 players press conference was significant for two reasons because the Cork public may want an explanation from Gerald McCarthy as to why he continued as manager having told a player, Niall McCarthy, that he wouldnt unless he was wanted by the players and also because many of the players, experienced and inexperienced, spoke, with all available for media questions.
They have put their faith in the public and the clubs and have also given every panellist an out they can go back playing or retire if support isnt forthcoming.
Thats very honourable and puts to bed the idea that some panellists are influencing others.
By contrast, why was this weeks county board meeting held in camera, and who makes this decision?
The reasoning behind it wasnt explained, and it gives the impression of having something to hide or fear.
More openness and clarity, not less, is needed around current issues. It wouldnt have harmed the boards officership to explain to the public and ordinary club members why this had to happen, as those ordinary club members and supporters need to hear and see all board business being done openly, properly, honestly and for the right reasons.
I wrote last week that this is a crisis, and it is. George W Bush lost his authority when he failed to visit New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. As their leader he failed to engage with his people when their need was greatest.
Frank Murphy is the de facto leader of Cork county GAA and has been for over 30 years, yet we have had no explanations or interviews from him on this issue.
He should explain to the supporters why certain decisions have been made. I know he answered questions at the county board convention in December but he needs to go further.
Under the circumstances he should have come out far earlier to explain what had been done regarding Gerald McCarthys reappointment.
As this crisis developed, the manager selection panel should have explained why they picked Gerald and why they felt he was the best man in their view, rather than repeating the mantra, we did things democratically.
Then people would be clear in their minds as to why that candidate was appointed unanimously and why no-one else was considered.
If players wouldnt play for him subsequently at least the reason for picking him would be clear and would dispel doubts (which still persist) that other personal agendas were at work.
Even if the board said we feel we can work with him compared to others, that would be a legitimate reason. Thats more important than it looks its no good having the greatest coach if hes an impossible person that nobody can work with.
Regarding the GAA offer to get involved, the first thing that struck me was that Central Council had initially refused to get involved, and you can understand why.
Then suddenly a source, as yet unnamed, materialises with an offer to help resolve the matter, but no great details were forthcoming from the county board meeting last Tuesday about that offer.
If the board were moving to make things more open and transparent, delegates should have been told who exactly contacted the board with that offer.
Also, the board was quick to point out that Geralds position wasnt up for discussion and whoever comes down from Croke Park would talk to the 08 players only, while the county board would talk to Gerald.
This makes no sense. If proper mediation is involved the board and manager are one side, the authority involved, and the 2008 panel are the other. Otherwise its a farce. Incidentally, the mediation organised by Derry Gowen was always doomed to fail, because the suggestion was that a vote was going to be four-two no matter what: two executive and two management versus two players.
You couldnt expect people to go into proper mediation talks on that score, or where there are preconditions, and its wrong to cast the players as villains because of their refusal to engage in talks of this kind.
The board can argue that they have done things by the book and made a democratic decision, but the big question maybe for all county boards relates to the next stratum of the GAA hierarchy.
Who appraises the work of county boards and full-time secretaries (more of who are to come on stream in the near future)? Who determines whether procedures are followed properly or that officers do not exceed their authority? Is it the Munster Council? Or does Croke Park function like central government, sending in someone to administer a local authority which cant agree a budget or where disputes on procedure arises? Either way, this dispute needs to be resolved. Cork have no academies of excellence to fall back on if the top players are unavailable.
One administrator central to this dispute was fond of saying Cork hurlers were like mushrooms, springing up over night. This theory will now be sorely tested. Unfortunately, Cork do not have the mushrooms at present, but for the second year running we have plenty of manure.
- Note: contrary to reports published yesterday, the march in support of the 2008 Cork hurling squad takes place on Saturday, February 7, with supporters asked to gather in Emmet Place before 3pm.
