Cork hurlers get together in Mallow

CORK'S SENIOR hurlers, currently in dispute with manager Gerald McCarthy and the county board, gather early this morning in Mallow for a light session and puck-around. Although the exercise hasn't been publicised it is clearly intended to keep together the players from last year's panel and provide a rallying point, as the crisis in the county shows no signs of abating, writes Seán Moran

The dispute, centred on the reappointment of McCarthy against the wishes of the players, intensified last week when the manager fielded a young and untested "development" team to represent the county in an exhibition match to commemorate the 150th anniversary of St Colman's College, Fermoy.

Should no resolution to the dispute emerge last week's team may have to form the basis of any sides fielded during January's competitions and the National Hurling League, which starts in February.

Meanwhile, Tyrone All-Ireland winning captain Brian Dooher has been ruled out of his side's Dr McKenna Cup campaign as he continues to recuperate from surgery he had on a groin problem. Dooher opted to postpone the surgery until the end of the county's All-Ireland campaign.

Manager Mickey Harte is hopeful he will be fit for the NFL campaign. "It's something that had been bothering him for some time, but Brian wanted to wait until the end of the season before getting it attended to," Harte said.