Cork hurlers to contact footballers this week

THE CORK senior hurling panel will contact their football counterparts in the coming days before deciding their next move in the stand-off with their manager Gerald McCarthy and the county board.

Despite holding another lengthy meeting on Sunday evening, the hurlers didn't make any further comment yesterday. They will talk to the football squad representatives sometime this week, and if the footballers offer their backing that will deepen the crisis.

In the meantime several of Cork's leading clubs are set to discuss the matter this week, which should give a better indication of the mood of the county and level of support, if any, for the players.

St Finbarr's were due to discuss the matter at their regular committee meeting last night, with county hurling champions Sarsfields doing likewise tomorrow night. Several other clubs are also due to discuss the issue before the next meeting of the county board.

That next meeting of the Cork board is not due until this day fortnight, and on the basis of the statement released by the board last Friday evening, there won't be any movements on the matter, as far as they're concerned, until then: "The board reaffirms its support for its properly-appointed hurling manager, Gerald McCarthy, and expresses its admiration for his resolve in the current, difficult circumstances."

McCarthy is going ahead with his plans for 2009, including the formation of his backroom team. Gone from the current set-up are selector Martin Bowen and trainer Jerry Wallace, and McCarthy is likely to have finalised his replacements by the weekend.

Yet speaking after Sunday's Munster club championship match between Sarsfields and Clare champions, Clonlara, McCarthy also offered something of an olive branch when saying he held no grudges against any of the players, and that his only wish was to get them back playing for Cork.

"I certainly don't harbour any grudges against anybody at this stage who said anything about me or my abilities as a coach. I've explained this to players. I would never ever hold a grudge against anybody who would have said something about me. If a player puts on a red jersey and I'm the coach, I will give him 100 per cent to make him a better player and to make the team a better team."

Tyrone's teenage sensation Kyle Coney flies out tomorrow to take up a professional AFL contract with Sydney Swans, but he'll be back next month for Ardboe's Ulster minor championship campaign. Coney brokered a deal with Swans officials which allows him to complete his GAA commitments with his club.

The 18-year-old's decision to pursues a professional sporting career Down Under will be a huge loss to Tyrone and Ardboe, but his side will retain his services for the provincial campaign, which is due to end on New Year's Day.