Season on hold... for now
Who would have thought that the McGrath Cup and the Munster Hurling League would be missed by so many?
Despite there being no games, a lot has happened with retirements, appointments, transfers and sponsorship deals being announced.
Appointments
Ronan McCarthy’s decision to remain at the helm with the Cork senior football team for a further two years is to be welcomed, as a change now would not have been good for the development of the team.
Losing to Tipperary in the Munster Final put a dampener on the year, in which promotion to Division 2 in the league was comfortably secured, along with the win over Kerry, and as McCarthy himself pointed out, it denied the team another big game in Croke Park.
Additions to the selection committee are also to be welcomed.
Bobby O’Dwyer enjoyed All-Ireland success with the minors and would have had another shot at this year’s title if it had been an ordinary year - he brings a wealth of experience to the set up.
John Hayes’ appointment surprised many but having been on the Carbery Rangers side that won the county title, with McCarthy as the coach, it is obvious that the manager rates the 2010 All-Ireland winner very highly. His input will be interesting as he would, I think, have played with some members of the panel.
Intercounty training is not allowed now until the end of the month, although the images from Youghal will not have helped, and the opening league games are likely to be put back for a couple of weeks.
Cork are in a re-shaped Division 2, split into two groups of four, with games against Clare, Kildare and Laois. The top two go to the semi-finals, playing the top two from the other group in the division, with the winners and runners-up getting promoted to the top division.
That must be a priority for the group, which will further develop the team if, as McCarthy expects, they are to be challenging for the All-Ireland in the next two years.
The format for next year’s championship will include a backdoor option as the Super 8s are once again being shelved in light of the shortened season that is set to conclude with both All-Ireland finals in July. Again, that is subject to change.
Of course, Bobby O’Dwyer’s elevation to the senior set-up leaves a vacancy at minor level, something I am sure the Board’s Executive will deal with at the earliest opportunity.
Retirements
In a week when it seemed that there was a different retirement every day- seven footballers departed between Kerry and Mayo - there was a significant departure here too with Stephen McDonnell or ‘Mackie’ as he is better known in Glen Rovers calling time on his intercounty career.
Stephen was an outstanding defender, especially in the art of man-marking and how many times over the years did he perform those tasks unselfishly?
In all he wore the red and white jersey in 70 games between league and championship and an unfortunate run of injuries denied him adding to that impressive total, the highlight surely being the Munster Final win of 2017, in which he captained the team.
He was also, as Anthony Nash remarked during the week, a character in the dressing room, with his ‘northside wit’ a factor in that, and believe you me, characters are needed in dressing rooms. Yes, we all know it’s a serious business, but a laugh and a joke can also help with team morale.
I heard a lovely story during the week about a January training session under JBM one night that was focussing on first touch. For Mackie it was not going too well, and Jimmy said: “Come on Steve, sharpen up.” The reply was classic: “Alright Jimmy boy, we’re not playing championship till May!”
There was no response, just laughs all round. Characters, they’re needed everywhere.
All that aside I think he is going to be a huge loss to Cork, his experience alone will be missed and with Nash gone as goalkeeper, that’s a lot of quality and game time to take away from any defence. It will undoubtedly put an extra bit of pressure on those that are now assuming their roles.
From a club perspective Glen Rovers will now have his undivided attention and that can only be of benefit as the club embark on another assault on the county championship under new manager Ian Lynam.
Sponsorship
When news broke last week that Sports Direct were to be the new sponsors of the Cork GAA intercounty teams, it was met with mixed views.
The deal, reported to be worth €400,000 per year, €2 million over five years, including a boot deal for players and a bonus of €250,000 if an All-Ireland senior title is won. On the face of it, it looks a good deal, especially with the Board’s financial position is factored in.
On the other side of the coin, the company or probably more appropriately its owner Mike Ashley would not have the best of reputations in terms of the manner in which his employees are treated.
And how will it impact local businesses who sell the Cork jersey, will they continue to do so with another sports company on the front?
The Board, while not officially confirming the deal, did let it be known that all negotiations were done with the Irish wing of the company and Mike Ashley had no input, but you can be sure he was well aware of its content.
The Chill Insurance deal was due to conclude this year, but interestingly there is an All-Ireland Under 20 hurling final to be played, hopefully in the coming weeks, what jersies will be worn on that day? Chill could go out on a high.
The other big talking point over the festive period has been the new Cork County Board draw, Rebel’s Bounty with each club, depending on their status, being given a target to reach for the €100 tickets. I spoke to two club officials in recent days, one intermediate and one junior, and both said they were nowhere reaching the target they have been set and are unlikely to do so, especially now in the midst of a lockdown, where it is noticeable some clubs have suspended their weekly lotto draw.
The essential difference between this venture and the last Cork GAA clubs draw is that the return for the clubs is not as good. Previously €45 of every ticket sold went back to the club, now before any return, you must reach your quota, that is, to make a €100 for a junior club they must first sell 55 tickets, intermediates must sell 70 and senior clubs must sell 100 tickets
Of course, there are some clubs who will really profit from it and for that they are to be commended, but it is my opinion that the bar set for some clubs, regardless of size, does not fit and maybe a rethink is needed even at this late stage.
In other news
The news that Anthony Nash is reportedly transferring to Limerick club South Liberties certainly came as a surprise and I am sure Kanturk will be disappointed at that development.
Anthony does have strong connections with the club and indeed the county of Limerick, so maybe it should not have come as a surprise at all. It will be intriguing to see how it all plays out in the coming weeks.
On the camogie front Jerry Wallis has been re-appointed as Cork minor manager for the season ahead as they bid for a third successive title having been denied that opportunity last year when the Camogie Association cancelled the championship.
Linda Collins from county champions Courcey Rovers will captain the senior team, and the expectation is that Paudie Murray will once again return as manager.
The first Cork County Board GAA meeting of the year was held virtually on Tuesday night and the big news is that the outstanding 2020 championship finals have been put back until June, which will make it a long wait for those involved.
The 2020 Junior hurling and football championships are also due for completion. With a split season on the cards in the coming months, hopefully, it will mean an exceptionally busy and exciting start to the club championship here.
Of course, the decision that will now occupy the Board officials will be the planning and scheduling of these games along with this year’s championships.
Promotion and relegation applies in all grades, and with seedings to be determined also based on the results of the various finals, the draws for the 2021 competitions may not be held for a couple of months yet.
In the meantime, take care and be safe.