CORK HURLING CRISIS:THE CORK hurling crisis shifts to the negotiation table tonight as the selection process for a new hurling manager is initiated by a full county board meeting.

However, club delegates are to seek a special convention that can address the future make-up of the county board executive.

“That is vital for more discussion on the running of the county board,” said Tomás Ryan, chairman of the club forum that overwhelmingly voted to remove Gerald McCarthy, who subsequently delivered an acrimonious letter of resignation last Tuesday night.

The timing of McCarthy’s resignation, read out by county board chairman Jerry O’Sullivan at a club information meeting, defused much of the anger at grassroots level.

“Changes are needed,” Ryan continued. “The GAA is above any one person. We have got to get our act together and bring Cork GAA back to where it used to be.

“The players are our assets and we have to take care of our assets. For this to happen we need a special convention – to ensure proper discussion and proper changes. It is up to the county board to make good on their word which they gave last night. If they shirk this they are in trouble.”

There has been widespread condemnation of the death threats that McCarthy made reference to in his resignation letter – the fourth statement he released to the media since the stand-off began.

“That is absolutely appalling and something I abhor and condemn,” said GAA president Nickey Brennan. “I don’t believe it came from genuine GAA people. I think Gerald and his family were right, they handed it over to the Gardaí and I hope they finger whoever did this and make them pay very dearly for it because no person should have to put up with that.

“He has had to endure an awfully tough time, particularly with the loss of his mother, and I know what that feels like. He shouldn’t have had to do that. I think it is appalling that it has come to this and whoever was involved in that is no friend of the GAA.

“This whole thing had moved out of the sporting side of things and what we love in the GAA. It was taken on to a level I believe was not healthy. The outcome now and the repercussions are to be seen in Gerald McCarthy’s resignation and the statement he felt compelled to write.

“That was a tough statement and Gerald McCarthy does not do things like that lightly. He said that because he meant every bit that was in it.”

It is also believed several senior members of the 2008 panel received death threats in recent weeks, but refused to give them the oxygen of publicity.

Brennan confirmed Croke Park would have no further involvement in Cork GAA affairs unless they are directly requested and expressed surprise at the breakdown in communication between club opinion and the voting pattern of club delegates.

“Clubs have reps at county board, junior clubs have reps at divisional boards and if their people were not representing their views it’s only the clubs that can answer for that. I hope now that those representing the clubs are being mandated to deal with various matters.”

Players are also adamant, along with everyone else seemingly, they are seeking no role in the appointment of the new manager.

“Thank God the Mulvey system (that promoted two players to a selection committee where they were always outnumbered) is gone,” Ryan continued. “Players never wanted to be involved in selecting their own manager. They brought no proposal to the meeting. The board suggested Gerald McCarthy.”

Cork County Board chairman Jerry O’Sullivan, whose two sons Diarmuid and Paudie were part of the striking panel, struck a conciliatory tone ahead of tonight’s meeting.

“It’s for the county board to decide the next step, maybe board officers and former players can form a committee, but no manager will be appointed.

“Any number of proposals can be put forward. We have our own view, but we will leave it up to the clubs to put forward suggestions for the new management selection process.

“Clubs have requested time to discuss major issues and we’ll allow them time. We all want a system that satisfies everybody. We pointed out last night that we are open to any suggestion.”

An interim management team is expected to be announced ahead of the March 22nd league fixture against Clare.

“This has hurt everyone involved in Cork GAA and now we want to get on with playing games,” added O’Sullivan. “This has gone on long enough.”