3rd-string Cork team win against backdrop of continuing rebellion

With more than 30 of the county’s best players still refusing to have anything to do with coach, Gerald McCarthy, it obviously wasn’t Cork’s best team. The Rebels might be hurling with a third-string outfit at the moment, but the real rebellion continues behind the scenes.
The senior players who withdrew their services following McCarthy’s re-election as coach were due to meet with negotiator, Olan Kelleher, earlier in the week, however, the suggestions are that they won’t engage in discussions with McCarthy.
“The framework [for negotiations] is that there are two representatives from management, two from the players and two from the County Board,” said the embattled coach. “I’m part of that. You would have to speak to the players about any sticking point as regards me. I know I’m legitimately selected and elected as the Cork coach.”
The players clearly beg to differ, and as the impasse intensifies, Cork could be facing an embarrassing National League campaign with this current inexperienced crop who were outclassed by Waterford IT at a near deserted Pairc Ui Rinn.
With no evidence that the divided parties are about to crack, it seems that eventually the public pressure on McCarthy to stand aside will become too great. Certainly, from past history, the players won’t be the ones to compromise.
Meanwhile, Clare edged out Limerick IT by 0-13 to 0-12 at Meelick where Joe Canning’s yellow carding just minutes from the end cost the students dear. Canning had hit six frees before he departed, and when Conor Plunkett fired over a long-range free from 70 yards on the stroke of full time, Clare appeared to be home and dry.
But Limerick IT were then awarded a free in front of the posts in the dying seconds and extra-time appeared to be on the cards only for Seamus Callinan to slip as he struck the ball and the chance was lost.
A strong finish by the University of Limerick paved the way for their 0-14 to 1-8 quarter-final victory over Cork at IT at Newtownshandrum. Cork led by 1-8 to 0-7 going into the final quarter, however, UL responded superbly with five points by Brian Carroll to surge clear.
On the football front, an understrength Dublin lost out to Wicklow in the O’Byrne Cup quarter-final by 0-9 to 0-6 at Parnell Park. If the Dubs were mostly relying on their under 21 panel, there was still a smile on the face of legendary Wicklow manager, Mick O’Dwyer, who has now guided four different counties – Kerry, Kildare, Laois as well as his current charges – to victories over Dublin.
In fact, Wicklow were missing seven or eight players themselves, so O’Dwyer’s suggestion that “Any day you beat Dublin is a good day” had to be taken seriously. With Leighton Glynn in commanding form at the back and with Tony Hannon kicking five points from frees, Wicklow deservedly booked their place in the last four.
Their opponents will be Louth who hammered an experimental Longford side by 4-12 to 0-5 at Pearse Park. Shane Lennon contributed 2-3 and Darren Clarke hit 1-2 as Longford failed to raise a flag during the second half.
If the awful conditions made skilful football an impossibility, there was still plenty to admire about Kildare’s 1-10 to 1-8 win over Meath in Newbridge. Trailing by six points at the break, Kieran McGeeney’s charges battled back with the help of the elements to earn a semi-final spot against a Conor Mortimer-inspired DCU who defeated college rivals DIT by 0-11 to 0-5.
In Ulster, Down look to be on course for a semi-final place in the McKenna Cup following their convincing 0-16 to 0-9 win over Tyrone in Newry. Perhaps it wasn’t surprising that the All Ireland champions faded in the last 20 minutes as they had only just returned from a fortnight’s holiday in Florida, but this was still a confidence-boosting result for Down.
With less than three weeks to go before the start of the National League, Tyrone manager Mickey Harte admitted that the team’s supporters were entitled to expect more. “That wouldn’t do when we play Dublin on 31 January. We’re very disappointed with the second half because we don’t like to let a game slip away like that. The people who came here from Tyrone would have expected more. I know that and the players know that.”
Level 0-6 apiece at the break, Tyrone faded badly as Down kicked nine unanswered points in a row with Michael Magee and John Fegan landing seven between them.
Like Down, Donegal appear to be on their way towards the last four after beating Fermanagh by 0-11 to 1-5 in Ballyshannon. With Brian Roper equalling the county’s record of 147 appearances, Donegal recovered from a Seamus Ryder goal early in the second half and from then on they never looked like losing.
Tommy Carr was able to savor a first win as Cavan manager as his side held out for a 1-11 to 0-12 victory over Antrim at Casement Park, while Armagh recovered from an eight point interval deficit to get the better of Queen’s University by 3-6 to 0-12. UUJ edged out Derry by 0-13 to 0-10 at Ballinascreen, and St Mary’s Belfast were 1-13 to 1-10 winners over Monaghan.
In Munster, Cork secured a place in the McGrath Cup semi-final when they had a narrow 2-3 to 0-8 victory over Clare at Cooraclare. A ’45’ from Fintan Gould with time running out gave Cork the win and they now take on UCC who held out to defeat Tipperary by 2-7 to 2-6. In the other fixture, Waterford were easy 1-15 to 0-5 winners over Limerick IT.
Galway showed some solid early season form as they defeated Leitrim by 0-12 to 0-8 in the Connacht League at Ballinasloe. Mayo, meanwhile, crushed IT Sligo by 2-20 to 0-7 with Austin O’Malley helping himself to 1-5, and Sligo were much too strong for GMIT emerging easy 5-13 to 1-9 winners. Elsewhere, a late point by Gareth Bradshaw earned NUI Galway a 1-5 to 0-8 draw with Roscommon at Kiltoom.