What's happening to hurling in Cork? I ask in a genuine way. I've always admired the tradition and respected the great Cork hurling teams down the ages. But reading the following quotes - from articles here on Hoganstand - I wonder are there underlying problems, which seem to have been festering for a few years, within the county?
The former Cork goalkeeper [Donal Og Cusack] laid into Murphy, who has been secretary since 1972, following the Rebels' dismal championship exit at the hands of Galway. "There are people who need to take serious responsibility for this result today, and of course, yes, Frank Murphy is the Don of (Cork) GAA," Cusack said. "This weekend has been a particularly bad weekend for hurling in Cork. I think there is a group of people around Frank, a group of stooges and yes men, and I'm not sure they're telling Frank as to how bad things are. Donal Og Cusack
"Are the players who were driving the team forward then, the likes of Donal Óg, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and John Gardiner, now paying a price for the strikes that followed?" he asks in The Irish Independent. "These guys are at an age now where they could be getting involved with development and underage squads but they may be prevented from doing so because of their stringent views back then. John Mullane.
No doubt there are more players playing rugby than before but we still way have significantly more hurlers playing the game than any other county. Why are these guys not coming through? There are lots of reasons. I agree with Cusack most stem from the Dinosaurs in the county board. They are the guys with the power to change this.
When you reward a man who was at the helm for two unsuccessful years managing the minors with a 2 year term as u21 boss there is something badly wrong. Needless to say those 2 years heading the u21's were a catastrophe. Compare that to Waterford embracing the hero's of their golden era. Men who will really drive and inspire the next generation, men who have played and understand the modern game. Mulane, Browne and Shanahan all involved with an making a real impact with their teams.
The word in cork is Tomas Mulcahy is being lined up should JBM pack it in.
where to start Skills .. The cork players now are not as strong as in the past. We were once blessed with fantastically skillful hurlers now adays our skill set is not as strong. It is my belief that this is a result for lack of parents giving up their time and efforts to coach encourage and mentor at under age levels in their clubs.
Underage.. It is ridiculous that cork dont have an U-21 SINCE 1998 or a MINOR SINCE 2001.. I believe that more parental help as well as the introduction of the REBEL OG programme will help turn this around. But we need the coaches to have been former winners and impart a winning mentality to their charges.
Heart... You cant teach heart .. Its something someone is born with and will have all their life.. The Kilkennys tipps waterfords limericks Galways in the last few years have bullied cork and that comes down to that belief that fight that heart which is gone from cork hurling.. When was the last time we saw cork come away from a ball in a ruck or blew a fella over the line that sent a statement that you wont mess with cork today..
Players mentality... In cork we have a long history of hero worship when it comes to hurlers in cork.. Ask anyone and they could probably name the starting 15 of the team in 1990.. But through circumstances i come across alot of the current crop and it is my contention that they think they have made it when the make the panel.. They are assisted with jobs alot of them get sponsored cars appearence money etc.. When you are successful all these things but when you havent produced and all ireland in ten years with 06/13 their only appearences then there is an issue.. Soulution for this comes from with in but coaches and management need to drill hunger into them from november till they collect LIAM them following september.. We are very scientific with training methods in cork but give me 15 players that would die for the jersey over 15 supremely fit athletes anyday..
The board..Yes they do have questions to answer.. Resources being misused.. Under age structures should have been in place ages ago .. and the strikes could have been handled better.. They have alot to answer for no question.. However not one them pucked a ball last sunday.. Our knee jerk reaction when things go bad in cork is blame the board.. But the players win and loose the matches.. I think going forward the board have a responsibility to appoint the BEST MANAGER.. Not the politically correct one.. There are better more able coaches and managers in cork and we need them in proper positions. Also due to the fall out of the two strikes we have see only a fraction of those WINNING STARS involved with cork in coaching etc that needs to change asap.
Donal OG ... 50% of donals points sunday night were valid.. But jasus its 8 years after the strike its time to shut up about it. Regularly reopening old wounds is a huge backward step for cork gaa. It seems everytime there is a problem Frank gets rolled out.. But lets be fair about it if you stand back and look at things on a global stage then the strikes did more damage than frank does. We have current players acting like pre-madonnas and that is borne out of the strikes. Before that players were friendly humble and loved the game.. Athlete sports man all have to conform to those above them and so do the cork players simple as that.. So if cork are to change then the strike must be left in the past or i will be here in another ten years typing the same thing.
We need to scour every team in every inch of cork to get the 30 absolute best players for the BLOOD AND BANDAGE. IN BOTH CODES. THE TIME FOR POLITICS,BICKERING, MESSING , AND SeLECTION BASED ON WHO YOU KNOW FROM WHAT CLUB HAS TO END.