DONAL ÓG CUSACK launched an emotional plea to the powers that be in Cork GAA to act fast after the Rebels’ departed the All-Ireland hurling championship at the hands of Galway today.
Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s side were 12 point losers in Thurles, being torn apart by Galway in the second half.
Cusack was in the Sunday Game studio, and the former keeper had plenty to say about the structures of hurling in Cork.
Donal Óg presented a chart he had put together, showing just how poorly Cork hurling sides have done at several grades through the last six years, compared to their Munster rivals.
And following this, he called the Cork County Board to task, most notably Chairman Frank Murphy.
He said that a dedicated Director of Hurling must be appointed and given a five-year plan, to change the structures of hurling in the county.
Cusack added that while Murphy may believe he has the best interests of the county at heart, he doesn’t have the expertise in elite sport to bring Cork out of the mire.
“There are people who need to take serious responsibility for this result today, and of course, yes, Frank Murphy is the Don of (Cork) GAA. This weekend has been a particularly bad weekend for hurling in Cork.
“I think there is a group of people around Frank, a group of stooges and yes men, and I’m not sure they’re telling Frank as to how bad things are.
“The clubs are not doing what they should be responsible for doing.
“They (the players) actually remind me of schoolchildren who are lying in bed and hoping someone is going to come along and call them in case they’re going to be late for school. They’re actually asleep in Rome while Rome burns.
“Frank would give his arm for Cork to win, and the group around him. They know as much about serious level sport as I do about the sleeping habits of the Ayatollah.”
