CORK REMAINS a city and county divided after some 10,000 people turned up for a march through the city to support the 2008 hurling panel and a crowd of 2,000 gave a standing ovation to the 2009 team as they went down to Dublin by three goals in the National Hurling League.
Cork’s latest sporting split saw a crowd estimated by gardaí to number 10,000 march through the city on Saturday before gathering in the Grand Parade for a rally to support the 2008 hurlers, who are refusing to play under reappointed coach Gerald McCarthy.
The march was organised by a group of Cork hurling supporters. Spokesman Thomas “Bomber” Roche said such a huge turnout sent a clear call to the Cork County Board to sort out the problem and get the 2008 team back playing.
The crowd gave a rousing reception to three-time All-Ireland medal winner Brian Corcoran, who said he was there to “defend the honour” of a great group of players. “These players have sacrificed so much for Cork hurling and they have had to listen to people question the pride that they take in the Cork jersey – they have literally sweated blood and tears for Cork hurling,” he said.
He said the players had been criticised for being “difficult”, but pointed out that under Donal O’Grady and John Allen there had been complete harmony in the Cork camp, and they reached four All-Irelands in a row and won two.
Corcoran was joined on the podium by some of last year’s panel and current footballers Graham Canty and Nicholas Murphy to hear last year’s hurling captain, John Gardiner, deliver a message to fans.
“Over the past 10 years we’ve shared some unbelievable memories in Thurles, Killarney and Croke Park and, if right is right and the truth will come out in the end, we’ll make more memories in Thurles and Croke Park in 2009 and many more years to come.”