Farrell sees mediator as only way to go in Cork

NEWS ROUND-UP: FOR BETTER or worse, the deepening crisis surrounding Cork hurling coincides with this afternoon's agm of the Gaelic Players Association (GPA), and while GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell expects the matter to be raised in some manner, the association are not in a position to get directly involved even if they wanted to.

"Obviously it is a huge concern," says Farrell. "We are in contact with some of the players, and it wouldn't be a case of them being in isolation here. They'd be well-versed in these types of issues, given their past experiences.

"But I know as well the toll that it places on players, which is immense. Unless you've been in that situation it's very difficult to comprehend the level of stress that would be involved.

"They are amateur players and yet find themselves in this huge difficulty, and, looking from the outside, it's a very sad situation. Especially the thought that players are thinking of walking way.

"I know that everyone is anxious to get this sorted, but there is a deeper rooted issue there to be sorted as well. I don't know who takes responsibility for that, be it the GAA, Croke Park centrally or the clubs in Cork themselves. But something needs to be done."

Farrell believes it is inevitable some mediator will get involved, similar to Kieran Mulvey of the Labour Relations being called in to last year's Cork footballers strike, but the GPA don't yet have the authority to do so: "I don't think there'll be anyone asking us to get involved. We're not even officially recognised yet. We've our own battle at hand in that particular score.

"But these are our members. We can advise and encourage them, but it's really just a case of seeing how it plays itself out over the coming weeks and months ahead. Obviously the earlier you can intervene in something like this the better, but unfortunately I think what has gone on over the past few weeks makes it extremely difficult for any sort of compromise solution.

"I can't see it, as it stands now. Maybe it will change, but as it stands now that would appear to be very, very unlikely, and in this particular situation I think there will be a major fall-out one way or the other.

"It's just very, very disappointing, because, from a player's perspective, I can only give them the best possible character reference, because I know it's not about power, it's not about ego, it's not about personalities. They have a genuine desire to be the best they can be and bring success to Cork, and under that regime they certainly couldn't do that.

"And unfortunately the county board seem to be using this as an opportunity maybe to seek revenge, or do down these players who may have caused an embarrassment in the past."

This afternoon's agm takes place ahead of this evening's GPA/Opel awards banquet, which will honour the teams of the year in football and hurling, and the winners of the individual players of the year.

The nominees for hurler of the year are Eoin Larkin (Kilkenny), Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny) and Shane McGrath (Tipperary). The nominations for footballer of the year are Seán Cavanagh (Tyrone), Brian Dooher (Tyrone), Tomás Ó Sé (Kerry) and Declan O'Sullivan (Kerry).

One further matter certain to be raised this afternoon is the players' grants scheme, which, although guaranteed for this year, faces an uncertain 2009.

"It will come up, obviously," said Farrell. "But no decisions have been taken as regards to what will happen in 2009, so at this stage we're not in a position to do any more, other than reiterating that, while we're quite prepared to work within the constraints placed on the Sports Council, considering their reduction in funding, we wouldn't be happy with anything above and beyond what is fair and equitable across the board."