The wait goes on...

With activity still at a standstill, and it will be for another couple of weeks, it’s events and happenings off the field that are dominating what little GAA headlines there are.

Camogie

Last week the Camogie Board finalised their managerial appointments and are all set to go once given the green light to do so.

Off the field, new Chairperson Mairead O’Donovan is settling into her role and is looking forward to the fundraising venture on the last weekend of this month.

The virtual 5K run or walk, named Caman Corcaigh is a joint fundraising venture with Jigsaw Cork who do invaluable work - it’s a confidential mental health support organisation for young people aged 12-25 in our city.

Like all organisations, funds are always welcome and this venture with the Camogie Board is the ideal way to raise finance.

Chairperson of the Board Mairead, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this exciting and worthwhile venture and the support we have received to date has been incredible and we hope that it will continue in the weeks leading up to the event.”

Mairead was keen to stress, as well as being a fundraiser, it is also a fun event and encouraged players to embrace that side of the venture. “We would ask all those participating to enjoy the occasion as we could all do with a lift in these strange times.”

When formally launching the fundraiser, Lord Mayor Cllr Joe Kavanagh paid tribute to both the Camogie Board and Jigsaw for their endeavours: “I am delighted to be in a position to launch this very exciting venture and I want to commend all involved on their initiative.”

The Lord Mayor added: “Cork Camogie has been to the forefront in promoting their games in recent years as it goes from strength to strength on and off the field, while Jigsaw Cork play an important role in the young lives of so many, especially in these difficult times.”

The Lord Mayor asked for it to be supported: “I would encourage everyone to get behind this venture and wish all the very best of luck over the weekend.”

Entry fee is €15 and this includes a t-shirt to mark your participation in the walk/run. To take part, details are on all Cork Camogie and Jigsaw Cork social media outlets.

Sponsorship confirmed

On Thursday last, the worst kept secret in Cork GAA was formally announced when Sports Direct Ireland were confirmed as new sponsors of Cork intercounty teams for the next five years.

The deal is reputed to be worth €400,000 per year to the Board, with a built-in clause for bonus payments for winning All-Ireland titles at senior level.

The virtual launch featured a newly designed jersey that was met with mixed reaction, a bit like the deal itself, with many unhappy that Cork GAA is linking up with this particular company.

That said, its involvement with a number of clubs has led to feeback that has been nothing but positive from those particular clubs.

A number of players were available on Zoom for interview and both Patrick Horgan and Ian Maguire handled the inevitable questions expertly.

Patrick’s response to Sports Direct and Cork GAA was “I am sure they have bigger fish to fry than a hurling team in Ireland”.

The Cork hurling captain also said: “Sports Direct are involved with my own club and they are excellent to deal with.” The Glen Rovers man also said he was looking forward to the coming season: “I really am, especially with the younger lads joining the panel and Donal O’Grady will be a great addition, listening to and chatting with him, his hurling brain and his grasp of matters is brilliant, and I cannot wait to get back on the pitch.”

Football captain Ian Maguire dealt with the inevitable question on Ronan McCarthy with the utmost diplomacy saying: “That’s a matter for the County Board and for now I am just working on getting back to fitness.”

As for the loss to Tipperary in the Munster Final, Ian said he is trying to put it behind him but is confident for the future. “We are going in the right direction and hopefully we can continue that way, our immediate aim is to get promotion to Division 1 and that will also further develop the team.”

Both County Secretary Kevin O’Donovan and Chairman Mark Sheehan welcomed the new sponsors and equally paid tribute to outgoing sponsors, Chill Insurance, for their outstanding contribution over the last eight years.

One would feel though that it is the board officers who should have made themselves available for interview rather than the players as it was plain to all what questions were going to be asked and it was in my opinion unfair that the players should have been asked to deal with them.

Christy Ryan RIP

Christy’s passing on Tuesday night after a long illness that he battled bravely evoked sadness all over the county, and especially in his beloved St Finbarr’s whom he served with distinction as a hurler and footballer.

In that time, he won many honours including county, Munster and All-Ireland club medals in both codes, but at all times he played with a spirit and determination that were hallmarks of his career.

With Cork he won two Munster senior football medals and a National League title but like so many of his generation the elusive All-Ireland medal eluded him.

Sincere sympathy to his family at this sad time, and to his friends and colleagues in St Finbarr’s and Cork. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

General

Congratulations to Peter O’Leary, Cork Ladies Football PRO on being named PRO of the year by the Ladies Football Association, a well-deserved accolade. Best of luck also to newly appointed captain of the senior team, Martina O’Brien, one of the more experienced players in Ephie Fitzgerald’s squad, and it will be needed as they bid to wrestle the title from Dublin.

Martina made her debut in 2013 and is the holder of four All-Ireland senior medals along with six National League titles, and although the intercounty scene last year was not the best, at club level Martina won county medals at intermediate level with her club Clonakilty and a senior medal with Divisional side, West Cork Ladies.

Barry Myers is the new manager of the Sarsfields senior hurling team, getting the nod over former Cork senior selector Kieran ‘Fraggy’ Murphy at last Saturday’s unique drive-in vote.

Myers has enjoyed considerable success at underage level with the club but this is his first tilt at the big job, and with Paudie Kissane as his physical trainer their progress will be watched with interest; successive exits at the qaurter-final stage fuelled Barry’s desire to seek the position.

Stay safe and take care.