Kilkenny game now unlikely to go ahead

GAELIC GAMES:Despite the hope that Cork's prospects of competing in the national football and hurling leagues had improved following the intervention of new GAA director general Páraic Duffy, it now appears those latest discussions were futile and Sunday's hurling clash with Kilkenny will not go ahead as scheduled.

The comprehensive document agreed between representatives of the players and county board officials at a meeting overseen by Duffy and Labour Relations Commission chief executive Kieran Mulvey - which ran into the early hours of yesterday morning - was reportedly rejected when put to the complete football and hurling panels.

The six player representatives were also considering another meeting with Mulvey, but, following the rejection of the document, that is unlikely to alter the situation ahead of the weekend. The Cork County Board also met later yesterday to discuss the document, although the final outcome of both those sets of deliberations won't be known until some time today.

Earlier yesterday, it was hoped that if both sides agreed to the document in principle then it would be possible for Sunday's game to go ahead, and that the Cork footballers would resume their league obligations on Saturday week.

However, it seems those hopes were unfounded.

Cork press officer Bob Ryan described Tuesday night's meeting with Duffy and Mulvey as bringing about substantial progress, although he declined to go into any details of the document, which has reportedly called for compromise on both sides: "I am not at liberty to say anything specific about the talks, but we felt that there was a positive input with what went on."

However, Tuesday's meeting was regarded as possibly the last chance of finding a resolution and keeping alive Cork's league participation. While last weekend's opening football game with Meath was deferred, the GAA since stated that if Cork fail to field teams for two games they will automatically be expelled from the remainder of the league.

Clearly, Duffy and Mulvey went to considerable lengths to find that resolution, the meeting in Cork lasting around nine hours in total, and yet ending without any definite breakthrough or agreement.

Their document is understood to have gone considerably further than the paper Mulvey recommended 10 days ago at his last meeting, which broke down without any potential resolution.

This time round there was some general acceptance of the compromise document, and both sides stood to gain something if what was proposed is accepted.

The role of newly appointed football manager Teddy Holland, whom the players refuse to accept, clearly remained one of the big stumbling blocks, and was not acceptable when the six player representatives that attended the meeting brought the document back to the entire panels.

Kilkenny manager Brian Cody, speaking at yesterday's launch of the NHL, said he was prepared to give Cork as much time as necessary to resolve their differences, even if that meant not knowing if Sunday's game would go ahead.

"We're obviously waiting to see what happens," said Cody, "and we'll be guided by whatever we're asked to do. We'll certainly facilitate Cork in whatever way they want, and if that means postponing the game on Sunday, I don't have any problem with that.

"There are a few free weekends ahead. And what we all want is for a positive outcome from this, and the talks, so that we all get the opportunity to take on Cork on the playing field, which is what's best for everybody.

"We won't worry too much, but I'm sure common sense will dictate that we know by Friday, at least. We're still hoping we'll play Cork, whether it's this weekend or a few weekends later."

Cody also played down the suggestion that Cork's league and championship preparations have been badly hurt by the strike.

"Everyone talks about the pressure on players to train. Players like to train, even in the off-season, and I'm sure the Cork players won't suffer any undue fitness by the fact they haven't been training collectively.

"I can't comment on morale for any other counties, but they're a united group, I'm sure."

While Cody seemed to sympathise with the situation where managers were unable to choose their own selectors - the key issues in the Cork strike - he also called on those involved to look at the bigger picture.

"You're aware of the system, and I was aware I could choose my own selectors. If the system was different, it would have still been up to me to decide if I wanted the job. But I would always prefer to appoint my own selectors - there's no point in me saying otherwise. And I think all managers would.

"But I think it's very important for everyone involved to realise their duty to pass on the game, that we have at the moment, in its healthiest state. If we dilute it in any way, or damage it in any way, I think it would be terrible.

"We have to realise we're just passing through. The game stands above everything, and if we damage this game in any way, we're doing a shocking disservice to everybody."