Worrying few days for Cork’s GAA clubs

When news filtered through over the weekend that three clubs in the Carbery division had suspended all activity as a result of a possible Covid-19 case, the questions being asked were, would this be the beginning of the end of a season that has yet to start?

Thankfully all three got the all clear to resume and the clubs in question, Argideen Rangers, Oliver Plunketts and Ballinascarthy, are to be commended for the manner in which they dealt with this issue swiftly and effectively.

No sooner had the dust settled on this when Glanworth and their sister club, Harbour Rovers, also called a halt to activity but this was different as a player had actually tested positive.

Once again though the player involved, and we wish him a speedy recovery, acted responsibly by not going to the game he had travelled down from Dublin to play in, and this certainly helped the situation.

The club are now said to be considering their options for the season as they are due to play near neighbours Mitchelstown in the Intermediate Football Championship on 26 July.

Hopefully they will decide to continue, but whatever decision they arrive at, it should and must be respected.

This raises the next question, if they or any other club decide in the interest and welfare of their players and community not to compete, what happens?

There are a number of factors to consider, all championships are now round robin format, so if a club opts out, are they eliminated and how are the points distributed?

Equally, relegation comes into play, are they automatically relegated?

These issues may not arise, but as we have seen in the last few days we are not out of the woods yet with this virus, and all involved, especially the fixture makers, will hope that they will not have to deal with any of the above scenarios.

I have consistently maintained that in the unprecedented circumstances we find ourselves in, that at the very least relegation should have been set aside for this year only, and then start next seasons championship with a clean slate for every club.

Minor championships

The opening games in the Rebel Óg Premier Minor Hurling Championship, which is being run in a group format, get underway next Wednesday night with some very exciting pairings to keep an eye on.

The pick of them would appear to be a repeat of last year’s county final between Midleton and Glen Rovers, with champions Midleton bidding for three in-a-row. The East Cork club will enjoy home advantage which gives them an edge, but the Blackpool lads love a challenge and will relish the opportunity to atone for last year’s defeat.

The second game in this group features another interesting encounter between Sarsfields and Blackrock.

The four teams in the second group are St Finbarr’s, Douglas, Ballincollig and a highly rated Ibane Gaels side.

St Finbarrs have a nicely balanced side, and with the genial Jimmy Barry Murphy among their backroom team, they will fancy their chances of making an impact in this championship on the back of a couple of very exciting teams in various grades in the last few years.

It’s Douglas vs St Finbarr’s in Round 1, with Ibane Gaels facing Ballincollig and all games next Wednesday night have 7pm starts.

City Division

The decision of the officers of the Seandun Division to alter the format of their junior championship has not gone down well, particularly with the clubs whose first teams play in this grade.

Initially both grades were to be played with a second chance for all teams, however in the light of the present situation, the officers changed it to straight knock-out.

When clubs were advised of this change, several of them wrote to the board to seek a delegate meeting, and failing that, a return to the original format. Both requests fell on deaf ears and a new draw took place last Monday night.

The situation some clubs will find themselves in now is that they might just play one game for the year. It costs €1,000 to insure every adult team, is it right that some teams might just get one game then? That’s a lot of money to pay out for 60 minutes of hurling or football.

The real losers are the sole junior clubs as clubs with teams in higher grades have a round-robin format to play in which could afford their players an opportunity to play in these championships which is likely given the heavy schedule they have to play in.

For junior-only clubs, that option does not exist and they are being denied meaningful competition at a time when it is needed most.

I accept we are in exceptional circumstances and the time frame is tight, but there are no Munster club deadlines to be met, and Seandun are not entering the senior championship, so why the need to change?

It is even more disappointing when you see what other divisions, notably Carbery and Imokilly, are doing - a round-robin format - why did Seandun not stick with their original format?

It is my opinion that irrespective of the circumstances we find ourselves in, the officers have failed in their duty which is to provide games for their clubs.

Season tickets

On Monday the Executive of the Cork County Board reviewed their earlier decision to charge senior All-Ireland medal winners €50 for their season ticket, that decision was reversed and now the recipients will not have to pay for their pass. While that is to be welcomed, it should never have been introduced in the first place.

When brought before the board for ratification, the recommendation from the executive also decreed that delegates, referees, club secretaries and various other office holders, including the Cork County Board officers, would be charged €50 for a season ticket that costs €150 for the general public.

It was met with very little opposition, two delegates Liam O’Laocha (Youghal) and Jerry Howe (St Nick’s) voiced their disapproval at the decision to charge the All-Ireland medals holders, but they received no support.

The distinction must be made that this was no ordinary pass that these players received, it was a lifetime pass to acknowledge their achievement in the red jersey, and in the view of some very experienced officials could and should not be altered.

One player described it as ‘a badge of honour’, while only last Sunday a former player told me: “I was privileged to play with Cork, at a time when expenses and playing gear were at a minimum, they never interested me anyway, and I must say I was very annoyed at this move by the board”.

It’s a tradition in this county that All-Ireland senior medal winners are acknowledged in this way, it dates back a very long time, and it should be continued well into the future.