Cork's coaching officer Kevin O'Donovan has conceded that hurling is in crisis in the Rebel County in the wake of last Sunday's dismal Munster SHC defeat to Tipperary.

Speaking at a County Board meeting last night in the Nemo Rangers complex, the Examiner reports that O'Donovan stated: "It's something I have asked myself ever since we were well-beaten by Kilkenny in the 2010 All-Ireland semi-final, is Cork hurling in crisis?

"I didn't think it at the time, but, walking through the square in Thurles on Sunday, seeing the supporters with their tails between their legs, I realised that yes, it is. There was no anger, nobody giving out about the referee or anything, I only heard apathy, people saying that'd need never support Cork hurling again, that it's finished."

The appointments of a director of hurling and a director of football would be a step in the right direction according to the official.

"It's a hot topic, and it's never raised at this board but I see a role for a director of hurling and a director of football.

"Maybe it would be a voluntary or a part-time role, but I see a massive deficit in terms of linking teams. Can you look at the different Cork teams at senior, intermediate, U21 and minor levels and say that there is a style of play? Certainly not.

"A director of hurling could facilitate that, not undermine a management team but support it. Whatever tactic is employed, let it be integrated. I'd have major concerns about strength and conditioning too, it needs to be centralised, with fewer appointments but of a higher quality."

County chairman Ger Lane said: "The results in the senior and intermediate games were disappointing.

"Every effort was made to have the team right on the day, but for an inexplicable reason that didn't happen. People shouldn't be overly critical, encouragement is needed rather than criticism.

"We should be supportive and hopefully the team will get back to the form displayed in the league relegation play-off against Galway up in Galway." 

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