Hey Ted! We're in it for the long haul

28th Jan 2008

In It For The Long Haul
Danny Elbow

There is a specific indigenous interpretation of 'pride' among GAA followers that does not permit taunting, pompousness and arrogance. This is, without doubt, a healthy trait that shapes the modest and humble characters that make up much of the organisation.

A different Ted and a less tragic comedy. Plenty of takers on the County Board for the position of 'Dougal' too..

Sometimes however the self appointed pride police can daub any player who decides to rear his head above any regulatory status quo as being guilty of the GAA fan's cardinal sin: lack of pride.

The Cork players and their reps, if anything, are guilty of having too much pride. They care so much that they are willing to go on strike to achieve what they believe in. The problem with this is that the gulf in understanding between fans and those they are devoted to can widen sufficiently to cause those fans at the back of the bus not being able to see what the driver is doing.

Their hope is that when the boys-down-the-back see the final place that they have been brought to, it will be a much better place than they had hoped for in the beginning. An admirable and humble trait that should be lauded by those far sighted enough to see it.

The other perception gap is that of a generation. The quintessential slow moving age-old institution versus the young bloods who apparently know it all. The issues on the table, as small as they appear, are clearly laden with hidden layers of bitterness and suspicion.

The sniping, over-exaggeration and lack of diplomacy bear all the hallmarks of deep rooted conflict and only serve to add fuel to the already burning red hot rebel fire.

Let there be no mincing of the Peoples Republic of Cork's position in this dispute. The inner sanctum of the Cork County Board have serious questions to ask themselves and as long as they remain resolutely arrogant by reversing the functioning system that brought the hurler's to four All-Ireland's in four years and the footballers to a rake of semi-finals and last year's final, there is no prospect of resolution.

What do they really think?

The retort that "the old system worked in 1990" is laughable. What happened in the rest of the nineties then?

The real issue is that the Cork team managers have too much authority over club players and fixtures in the eyes of the ordinary club man. The board have tried to fix this by reversing the powers of the hurling and football managers. It seems like a very strange way to do business.

Naturally all the junior clubs (who's fixtures wouldn't be affected by the county team) were not able to vote at County Board level. Senior delegates only. Those shouting "democracy" need to be aware of its many different shades.

Some of the nonsense sent to local radio stations, including County Board FM, has been bordering on dementia. This is not the fault of the stations of course, they are merely outputting what their "inciteful" listeners send them.

Opinions are one thing. Every langer has one. Incorrect facts and thinly veiled ulterior motives are another - the old stock are full of them and the changing of the guard from one generation to the next is a painful process but it must be borne out.

The players aren't looking for money. The issue is not on the table. The only man paid to take a training session will be the coach, Teddy Holland.

Neither is it about the two or three high profile players who make cash from public appearances. If it was, the rest of the sixty players would have ditched them a long time ago.

REGISTER YOUR SUPPORT

Hard decisions made by a few make the lives of many easier.

It is up to every Cork man and woman who has basked in the joy of the football and particularly hurling successes since 2003 to join the building wave of support for the Cork players.

Sadly, there is no public protest culture in the affluent naughties but you can make your support known through other channels including our Sports Forum. We will make sure the players know.

We urge the negotiators to stay calm. Ignore the minority of bollixes who text their bitterness to radio stations and keep the faith. Ignore the pathetic 'holier than thou' posturing of County Board officials in the media. Don't bite the bait.

Likewise there should be no panic about putting a squad together to play Meath in Navan next Saturday. Cork fans' aren't going to be found wandering around town like zombies if it doesn't go ahead. It's only January.

The pressure will be on the County Board if a Cork team isn't fielded and true fans should be prepared to stay with the players for the long haul.

Beidh an bua againn!

Any suggestions on how we can help the Cork players drop us a line: editor@peoplesrepublicofcork.com