Cork's Sporting Instability

5th Dec 2007

Cork's Sporting Instability
Danny Elbow

Natural order restored.

The shams at the Kremlin have been accused of many things by the West over the last week as Vladamir Putin strolled back into power with his United Russian party.

Allegations against the regime include stifling political debate, over dominance of the media, cronyism and voter intimidation. Strange that the Russians should vote him back in with such gusto isn't it?

Its very clear that they, like many other people around the world, crave stability. After a tumultuous few decades of coups and railroaded capitalism the Reds just want everyone to calm down and get on with the job. They're used to having nutters in power so with a few extra rubbles in their pockets every month they're happy with the status quo.

Those in positions of authority in Cork's sporting circles could learn a lesson or two from the Ruskis. Change is only demanded in a crises or bad times. You can be the dodgiest langball of a leader in the world but if you've got a steady hand and can keep your country ticking over, the public will back you. Just ask Bertie Ahern.

Whether it's the County Board or the suits at Turners Cross we seem to have a problem ensuring stability for the ground troops who have to go out and fight for the Rebel county's reputation. Every season Cork's fate lies in the hands of three main fighting divisions: our football, hurling and Cork City FC squads.

Vladsy: could teach County Board a thing or two about stability

What kind of an army do we have if the very people fighting for Cork's rightful place at the top of any sporting pile have little confidence in their overlords?

This topic is far from trivial. After his fantastic Ford FAI Cup victory last Sunday, Cork City FC boss Damien Richardson described Cork as a "sports mad city".

Sport plays a huge role in the fabric of Cork's identity and its perception of itself. If Cork was a feen dolling himself up for a night out on the town he'd look at himself in the mirror and feel he was going to be an instant hit with the ladies. He strolls into town with a spring in his step. He hits the clubs and walks the walk.

Without our sporting success Cork would be like a scraggy overweight slob who after seeing his reflection in the mirror decides he's better off on the couch with a few cans. Been to Waterford lately?

Victories like last Sunday's instil a confidence in Corkonians that runs far beyond the terraces of Croke Park or the RDS so these victories, often small in the bigger scheme of things, are hugely important for the city .Even economically it has an effect. When Corkonians are in good form they spend money.

When spokesmen on Leeside refer to doing "what's best for the club" or that they are "acting in the best interests of the sport", they should not be naïve enough to think that the effects of their decisions stop at the borders of those entities.

Damo: arite for a Dub

Instead of lauding the great victory over Longford and bringing the FAI cup back to Leeside we were confronted with a series of post-match interviews about contracts. Cork Captain Dan Murray, arguably City's most consistent player of the season claimed the victory was "two fingers" to the club's board.

Reports in the national media last week in the run up to the final largely focussed on the issues between players and the club rather than on the final. Sadly, similar coverage après-match followed suit, tainting a rare and glorifying occasion for Cork as a whole not to mind the club itself.

These comments and coverage were a manifestation of the obvious instability at the club. While we know players and managers can use the glare of the media to their advantage, good executive management would have neutralised the need to do this by being on top of any issues in the first place.

Billy Morgan's only gripe was a technicality about choosing his own selectors. He brought the county to an All Ireland final and should have been carried like a Roman Emperor to Pairc Ui Chaoimh on a bed of roses to have his tenure renewed. The County Board should have been on their knees while he issued his plans to bring Sam Maguire to Cork in 2008.

If Billy had insisted on coaching the team from a hot tub of coconut milk on the sidelines
the Board's question should have been "how hot would you like it Mr. Morgan?".

Now we're facing into another season of sporting uncertainty. Not because of chance circumstances like injury, as is regularly the case in sport, but because of the systemic failure to ensure stability.

Will Flynnie and Kearney leg it? Has Richardson had enough? Are we going to see senior Cork hurlers resign? Will the footballers end up on strike?

Nobody on the outside should under estimate the impact that the recent series of seemingly trivial decisions will have on Cork as a whole. The best way for an embattled body to maintain the power they so desperately cling to is to keep those over whom they control happy.

Just ask Vladimir.