Why is Cork underage hurling in decline?

Diarmuid O'Flynn

Anyone who knows anything about the GAA knows that Cork is one well-run county.

Physically it’s the biggest county unit of the association and covers a massive area. We all know the story of the guy from deep in west Cork who, travelling to the All-Ireland final of 1973, reached Mitchelstown in the far north of the county and was already more than halfway to Dublin.

Cork is also a strong GAA county, a strong dual county at that, hurling and football, with thriving club units in every corner. The logistics, then, of running off the various competitions every year is a massive challenge and yet every year, at every level from junior to senior, Cork is done and dusted before many much smaller counties. A model of efficiency. Much of the credit for which goes to its hard-working full-time secretary Frank Murphy.

In terms of GAA facilities, Cork is also very well served; two county grounds in the city, with Páirc Uí Chaoimh set for a massive upgrade in the coming years; state of the art complexes spread throughout the county in places like Mallow, Nemo Rangers, Clonakilty; most other clubs with modern facilities. Two pitches is now almost the norm, one of those all-weather and floodlit. Cork is also a cash-rich county, millions in the war-chest to be spent as and when seen fit.

Why, then, are Cork faring so poorly at minor and U21 in hurling, the sport with which it is most associated?

Not since 2001 (when Tomás O’Leary was captain) have they won an All-Ireland minor title, only one appearance in a final since then (beaten by Galway in 2007). Not since 1998 (the team that went on to backbone the All-Ireland triumphs of ’99, ’04 and ’05) have they even appeared in an U21 final, that team winning back-to-back titles.

The trend continued on Sunday last when the minor team was well beaten by Tipperary in the Munster semi-final playoff game, ten points between them at the end. In the first round Cork had been similarly dismissed by Limerick, an eight-point loss, struggled even against Kerry for half an hour in the first backdoor game, a Kerry side which had been demolished by Clare.

So, what’s the problem in Cork hurling. Is there even a problem in Cork hurling? To answer the second question first. Yes, there is a problem, and anyone who says otherwise is plain wrong.

On the first question, however, funnily enough, and I know this is going to surprise a few people, I’m not going to pretend I know the right answer; in fact. I’m not even sure I know the right questions to ask to establish the right answer.

Part of the problem in Cork is that the place is so vast, so many club units, that it’s a much more difficult task to identify and bring together the most promising hurlers in the county, but then this should surely be a good problem to have, yes?

Major efforts are already being made behind the scenes in Cork, at underage, to progress hurling up to minor and U21 levels. The divisions have been combined and re-organised, major structural changes, full-time coaches are working hard in all those divisions within clubs and schools, a lot of time, money and effort being spent. And yet, patently, none of this is yet bearing fruit at minor and U21 level.

There are a few areas where Cork differ to other counties now, and one that springs immediately to mind is the number of selectors. At every level Cork still stick to the old format, manager and four others. In Kilkenny last year, the minor All-Ireland champions, there was just the manager, Richie Mulrooney, and one assistant, Adrian Finan.

You have to wonder, why do we need five? Tradition? Look to Manchester United (why not?), one manager for the last 100 years, an assistant, then look at what they have achieved. It’s time for Cork to reduce the number of selectors, that would be one answer.

Another answer is for more former top players to get involved, and this would apply at every level. Not necessarily at managerial level – you don’t have to have a bag of All-Ireland medals in your back-pocket to be a top manager but in coaching and training, in hands-on roles. Whatever the answer, one thing is sure. What’s being done at the moment isn’t working, and you know that old definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/WZGr4r_9BBo/post.aspx

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