NEWS ROUND-UP: CORK HURLING manager Gerald McCarthy has admitted the decision of the county's senior footballers to support the striking hurlers has deepened the crisis in the county.

“At this stage, all I would say is that the situation is regrettable,” said McCarthy yesterday. “I don’t think it should have happened this way, but that’s the way things are. It’s just where we are right now. It’s all very sad and deepens the crisis quite a bit.”

The footballers indicated on Thursday they will go on strike after the NFL if a successful resolution has not been found by then to the current impasse.

McCarthy has named 15 league debutants for tomorrow’s clash with Dublin at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. “That’s the first time ever that has happened, I would imagine,” he said. “The sad part about it is that this group of talented players are deprived of the experienced players around them.

“I came from an era where the jersey was worn with pride and when it came to handing over the shirt, it was handed over to an up and coming player. That hasn’t happened on this occasion.”

Meanwhile, Brendan Devenney is considering a return to intercounty football. “I have spoken to John Joe (Doherty, Donegal manager) and he said he’d like to have me back so I am going to train hard for the next month and give it a right good go,” Devenney said.

The death occurred yesterday of former Clare and Munster footballer Georgie Fitzpatrick. For the past 15 years the Kilkee native (52) had been Clare FM’s football analyst and match commentator.