Madam, – I read with great sadness of Gerald McCarthy’s resignation as Cork hurling manager (The Irish Times, March 11th).
As a Kildare man and a lover of Irish sport, I have watched from the sidelines as this ugly debacle came to a head. Not only has a good man have to step down from a job to which he was legitimately appointed, but his family have had to endure threats from supposed “fans”. The players of 2008 could learn a lot from their younger counterparts, who gave their all to the Cork jersey during the self-imposed abstention of their supposed betters.
I know for a fact that any manager worth his salt would not accept such behaviour from his players and Mr McCarthy has behaved with a lot of grace and decency in this sorry affair. I hope that the new manager will follows Mr McCarthy’s lead in picking players who will put their county’s hurling interests ahead of their own self-importance. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The arrogant, self-indulgent activities of senior members of the Cork hurling team have not only brought disgrace on themselves but have done major damage to a world-renowned amateur sporting organisation which has been in existence for a century-and-a-quarter. It is outrageous that they have been supported in their activities by many in the media who should have known better.
Amateur players should not allow their celebrity status to go to their heads. They should have copped themselves on long ago and realised how great a privilege it is to play for their county. – Yours, etc,