2007-2008 Cork players strike

The 2007-2008 Cork players strike signalled the Cork Gaelic footballers and hurlers to withdraw services against the Cork County board over the issue of who picked the senior teams' selectors. [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/gaelic-football/cork-players-go-on-strike-over-selection-row-1243627.html
accessdate=2008-02-08|title=Cork players go on strike over selection row] The players believed the manager should pick the selectors. However, the county board picked the selectors when the Cork footballers' new manager, Teddy Holland, was appointed. The players also refused to play under Holland since he accepted the job during their time of strike. [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/teddy-holland-in-profile-1274660.html|title=Teddy Holland in profile|accessdate=2008-02-08] The strike drew comment from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern [cite web|title=Ahern: both sides need to keep heads|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/text/story.asp?j=cwojaueygbojeyau&p=z5x47xxx&n=25047076|accessdate=2008-02-08] and was the first time in the History of the Gaelic Athletic Association that a strike has caused inter county fixtures not to be played. [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0218/hollandt.html|title=Holland sacked by Cork officials|accessdate=2008-02-18]

The strike began December 10, 2007 [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2007/1210/cork.html|title=Cork in crisis|accessdate=2008-02-18] and ended on February 18, [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0218/hollandt.html|title=Holland sacked by Cork officials|accessdate=2008-02-18] [cite web|url=http://www.ireland.com/sports/gaa/2008/0218/1203093495987.html web|title=Holland sacked by county board|accessdate=2008-02-18] 97 days after the first strike threat. [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2007/1113/cork.html|title=Strike action threatened in Cork|accessdate=2008-02-18] The strike was declared over on February 15, 2008 [cite web|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/mheysnauojkf/|title=Holland and Cork selectors resign|accessdate=2008-02-15] however Holland was not fired till the 18 February. [cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=89622|title=Holland still in (very) hot seat|accessdate=2008-02-17] The strike is the second occurrence by Cork players in the past five years. [cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/article831795.ece|title=Cork’s panel closer to a strike|accessdate=2008-02-05] Kieran Mulvey, chairman of the Labour Relations Commission, arbitrate an end the strike with the Cork players and county board.

Strike build-up

October

On October 16, Cork clubs vote to change how selectors are picked, this was confirmed by a second vote on October 20. [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/cork-strike-timeline-1275239.html|title=CORK STRIKE TIMELINE|accessdate=2008-02-12]

November

On November 8, Billy Morgan resigned as manager because he was no longer allowed to choose selectors for his team. [cite web|url=http://www.ireland.com/sports/gaa/2007/1108/1194222937420.html|title=Morgan says no to Cork return|accessdate=2008-02-10] On 13 November the Cork players issued their first threat of strike [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2007/1113/cork.html|title=Strike action threatened in Cork|accessdate=2008-02-18] . The Gaelic Players Association backed the proposed players strike. [cite web|url=http://www.ireland.com/sports/gaa/2007/1113/1194550269007.html|title=GPA backs proposed Cork strike|accessdate=2008-02-10] Three days later, the players wrote to their clubs highlighting their objections to the decision changing the way selectors were chosen and to resolve the issue of appointing a new manager. [cite web|url=http://breakingnews.iol.ie/sport/story.asp?j=101703030&p=yxy7x333z&t=gaa|title=Players give the write direction|accessdate=2008-02-10] On November 21, Teddy Holland was appointed as team manager along with selectors Teddy McCarthy, Liam Hodnett, Diarmuid O'Donovan and Mick O'Loughlin [cite web|url=http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0219/breaking8.htm|title=Holland sacked by county board|accessdate=2008-02-19] [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/gaelic-football/teddy-holland-appointed-as-new-cork-manager-1225974.html|title=Teddy Holland appointed as new Cork manager|accessdate=2008-02-10] Two days later, Cork footballers met with Holland to inform him their issue was with the County board and not with him. [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/cork-strike-timeline-1275239.html|title=CORK STRIKE TIMELINE|accessdate=2008-02-12] [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2007/1124/cork.html?rss|title=Cork squads to meet in selector dispute|accessdate=2008-02-10] On November 24, the football and hurling panels planned to discuss the appointment of Teddy Holland and to threaten possible strike action. [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2007/1124/cork.html?rss|title=Cork squads to meet in selector dispute|accessdate=2008-02-10]

December

Cork players' spokesman Donal Óg Cusack gave notice of the players intention to strike on December 3, 2007. [cite web| title=Cusack warns Cork players will walk away| url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=86518|accessdate=2008-02-08] On December 9, former Cork football captain Mark Landers requested the GAA help resolve the dispute, but the GAA declared their neutrality. [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/cork-strike-timeline-1275239.html|title=CORK STRIKE TIMELINE|accessdate=2008-02-12] On 12 December the Cork footballers take a team holiday which was largely paid and organised by themselves [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/cork-strike-timeline-1275239.html|title=CORK STRIKE TIMELINE|accessdate=2008-02-12] .

Events of the strike

December

On December 10, the players officially went on strike. [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/gaelic-football/cork-players-go-on-strike-over-selection-row-1243627.html
accessdate=2008-02-08|title=Cork players go on strike over selection row] [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7137075.stm|title=Cork senior squads go on strike|accessdate=2008-02-21] On 20 December the County board and the players held the first of a series of meetings to try resolve the strike [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2007/1220/cork.html|title=No resolution in Cork players' strike|accessdate=2008-02-10]

January

The Cork hurlers confirmed, on January 9, they would not play in the Waterford Crystal Cup; and the county was forced to give a walkover. [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0109/cork.html|title=Cork players refusing to play|accessdate=2008-01-08] On January 23, Teddy Holland issued a press statement announcing he would not resign. [cite web|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/mheyojgbqlql/rss2/|title=Resignation not an option for Cork football manager|accessdate=2008-02-08] In a bid to resolve their issues the players and the county board held 18 hours of talks on January 27, chaired by Kieran Mulvey, which ended in stalemate. [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0127/cork.html|title=No resolution in Cork players' strike|accessdate=2008-02-10] Mulvey was asked to chair the talks by Nickey Brennan, the President of the Gaelic Athletic Association. [cite web|url=http://sports.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/01/31/GAA-Cork-strike-feature/|title=Cork players deserve our support|accessdate=2008-02-10] More than 100 club delegates voted unanimously in support of Holland at a January 30 county board meeting. [cite web|url=http://breakingnews.iol.ie/sport/story.asp?j=244705954&p=z447x666x&t=gaa|title=Cork County Board firmly behind Holland|accessdate=2008-02-10] In the week leading up to the National Football League game against Meath, the Cork county board were unable to guarantee a team, and the game was postponed on January 30, 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/gaelic-football/gaa-confirm-that-meath-v-cork-wont-happen-on-saturday-1277737.html
title=GAA confirm that Meath v Cork won't happen on Saturday|accessdate=2008-02-08]

February

On February 5, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, called on both sides to resolve the dispute. [cite web|title=Ahern: both sides need to keep heads|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/text/story.asp?j=cwojaueygbojeyau&p=z5x47xxx&n=25047076|accessdate=2008-02-08] Further talks between Kieran Mulvey and Paraic Duffy, the Director General of the GAA, were held. [cite web|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/gaa/article3405803.ece|title=Duffy bids to broker peace in Cork|accessdate=2008-02-07] On February 7 the Cork players refused a solution offered by the county board and it looked likely that Cork would be removed from both the National Hurling League and National Football League [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/cork-players-say-no-1283545.html|title=Cork players say no|accessdate=2008-02-08] and relegated the following season. It was claimed that under GAA rules a team unable to take part in two league games are disqualified from the league [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/cork-can-go-to-hell-1285855.html|title=Cork can go to hell|accessdate=2008-02-22] [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/cork-descend-into-civil-war-1280211.html|title=Cork descend into civil war|accessdate=2008-02-22] [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0208/cork.html|title=Cork players furious at 'spin'|accessdate=2008-02-22] . A second football match was to be played on February 16 [cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/page/allianz_nfl_2008_fixtures.html|title=Allianz National Football League 2008|accessdate=2008-02-10] while the second hurling game was due on February 17. [cite web|url=http://www.gaa.ie/page/allianz_nhl_2008_fixtures.html|title=Allianz Hurling League 2008|accessdate=2008-02-10] On February 8, the Cork players reacted negatively to what they thought was an attempt by the county board to split the footballers and hurlers [cite web|url=http://breakingnews.iol.ie/sport/story.asp?j=245654112&p=z456548y8&t=gaa|title=Cork 'furious' at attempt to 'split players'|accessdate=2008-02-10] when a press release claimed the players would accept Holland as manager. [cite web|url=http://www.ireland.com/sports/gaa/2008/0207/1201903706561.html|title=Cork release details of rejected document|accessdate=2008-02-10] On February 9, Roy Keane compared the 2002 strike to the Saipan incident and warned about players becoming too powerful. [cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=sport-qqqm=sport-qqqa=sport-qqqid=54862-qqqx=1.asp|title=Keane: 2002 strike was Cork GAA’s Saipan|accessdate=2008-02-09] A poll showed that 56 percent of fans supported the strike and 70 percent believed the actions of the board damaged Cork's chance of winning All-Ireland championships that year. [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0209/cork.html|title=Poll shows support for Cork players|accessdate=2008-02-12] The Cork county board, on February 12, voted 96-13 in favour of entering binding arbitration with the players in a last bid to save the teams being disqualified from the leagues [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0212/cork.html|accessdate=2008-02-13|title=Cork board agree to arbitration (RTÉ)] [cite web|url=http://sports.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/02/12/GAA-Cork-story/?facets/sport-space/ireland-locale/|title=Cork county board agrees to arbitration (Setanta)|accessdate=2008-02-13] while Nickey Brennan called for the dispute to end, "however it is achieved." [cite web|url=http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i1vF0YhF4TOgyDEwVOVV7cDFXFRQ|title=Brennan calls for Cork resolution|accessdate=2008-02-10] On February 14, the Cork player met with Mulvey and agreed to accept the arbitration in an attempt to end the strike 95 days after it began. [cite web|url=http://www.examiner.ie/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=sport-qqqm=sport-qqqa=sport-qqqid=55349-qqqx=1.asp|title=Arbitration deal brings GAA strike to an end |accessdate=2008-02-15]

Outcome of the arbitration

*Teddy Holland and his selectors to resign from their positions.
*The Cork players committed to not engage in future strikes.
*The new management committee will be five county board members and two players [cite web|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/mheysnauojkf/|title=Holland and Cork selectors resign|accessdate=2008-02-15]
*The new management will be able to pick their own selectors [cite web|url=http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/02/20/GAA-Counihan-set-to-name-selectors/?facets/sport-space/great-britain-locale/gaa/|title=Counihan names Rebel selectors|accessdate=2008-02-22] .

Last days of the strike

While many [cite web|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/gaa/article3436799.ece|title=Peace breaks out in Cork at last|accessdate=2008-02-17] [cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=89599|title=BREAKING NEWS: Holland gone as strike ends|accessdate=2008-02-17] [cite web|url=http://www.ireland.com/sports/gaa/2008/0215/1202938442481.html?via=mr|title=Holland to go as peace breaks out|accessdate=2008-02-17] declared the strike over on 15 February after the players accepted the outcome of the arbitration and also declared that Teddy Holland had resign, the GAA confirmed that the Cork versus Dublin football and Cork versus Waterford hurling games were called off [cite web|url=http://www.ireland.com/sports/gaa/2008/0215/1202938442481.html?via=mr|title=Holland to go as peace breaks out|accessdate=2008-02-17] [cite web|url=http://www.hill16.ie/viewstoryhill16.asp?mainheading=Word+on+The+Hill&id=9549&viewstory=yes|title=Dubs v Cork NFL clash off|accessdate=2008-02-27] . The county board called an emergency meeting to discuss the recommendations of the arbitration and especially the recommendation from Mulvey that Holland should resign [cite web|url=http://sports.setanta.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/02/15/GAA-Cork-county-board-meeting/?facets/sport-space/ireland-locale/gaa/|title=Cork board call emergency meeting|accessdate=2008-02-16] . By 16 February uncertainty had emerged over the status of the strike [cite web|url=http://www.irishnews.com/appnews/2008/2/597/5776/580340_336794514601Hollandre.html|title=Holland resignation will end Cork strike|accessdate=2008-02-17] [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0216/cork.html|title=Cork board holding emergency meeting|accessdate=2008-02-16] , while the county board and Holland met to discuss the issues [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0217/cork.html|title=Cork Co Board to meet again|accessdate=2008-02-17] , an expected vote by the County board to removal Holland was never called [cite web|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/sport/hurling/article3440178.ece|title=Cork Co Board to meet Holland today as row drags on|accessdate=2008-02-17] . Holland issued a statement which didn't indicate if he had stepped down and said he was neutral saying "I am my own man and I am proud to be a Cork football man". Holland said the claim that six people had refused the job before him was false and there was no threat of strike when he took the job [cite web|url=http://breakingnews.iol.ie/sport/story.asp?j=246485780&p=z46486486&t=gaa|title=Holland issues statement|accessdate=2008-02-16] . However a statement in support of the strike was issued by the Gaelic Players Association on 13 November 2007, a week before Holland took the job. On the 17 February it was clear Holland had not resigned or been fired by the county board and the strike continued [cite web|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/sport/hurling/article3440178.ece|title=Cork Co Board to meet Holland today as row drags on|accessdate=2008-02-17] [cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=89622|title=Holland still in (very) hot seat|accessdate=2008-02-17] . The county board issued statement saying that they will meet on Monday 18 February to end the strike [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0217/cork1.html|title=Cork dispute nearing resolution|accessdate=2008-02-17] . The strike officially ended on 18 February 97 days after the first threat of strike [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2007/1113/cork.html|title=Strike action threatened in Cork|accessdate=2008-02-18] . When, as expected, [cite web| url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=89706| title=Holland to be voted out tonight|accessdate=2008-02-18] [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/northern_ireland/gaelic_games/7250242.stm|title=End in sight to Cork GAA crisis |accessdate=2008-02-18] the county board voted 89-19 to fire Teddy Holland and his selectors as they refused to step down [cite web|url=http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0219/breaking8.htm|title=Holland sacked by county board|accessdate=2008-02-19] [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0218/hollandt.html|title=Holland sacked by Cork officials|accessdate=2008-02-18] .

Aftermath of the strike

The seven man panel appointed to help find the next manager, began its search as soon as Holland had been removed and included players Nicholas Murphy and Derek Kavanagh [cite web|url=http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5goCp_30myaGotvxxRdHjkcE2yFeA|title=Cork appoint player representatives|accessdate=2008-02-18] [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0218/hollandt.html|title=Holland sacked by Cork officials|accessdate=2008-02-18] .

On 19 February the Central Competitions Control Committee decided not to remove Cork from the football and hurling leagues, but instead awarded the points from the missed games to their opponents and fined the county board €400 for each game missed [cite web|url=http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/02/19/GAA-Cork-points-forfeited/?facets/sport-space/great-britain-locale/|title=CCCC gives Cork points to opponents|accessdate=2008-02-19] .

While Conor Counihan was appointed Cork's new football manager [cite web|url=http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/02/19/GAA-New-Cork-boss/|title=Counihan named new Cork boss|accessdate=2008-02-18] and got to name his own selectors. [cite web|url=http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/02/20/GAA-Counihan-set-to-name-selectors/?facets/sport-space/great-britain-locale/gaa/|title=Counihan names Rebel selectors|accessdate=2008-02-22] On 20 February, Seán Óg Ó hAilpín said had the strike carried on beyond the 18 February he and others would have resigned from inter-county hurling and football [cite web|url=http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/02/20/GAA-Sean-Og-on-Cork-dispute/?facets/sport-space/great-britain-locale/gaa/|title=Ó Hailpín: My career was nearly over|accessdate=2008-02-21] , while the Kilkenny county board offered to play their hurling match with Cork however the CCCC had already awarded Kilkenny the points and so the Cork County board requested CCCC approve the game [cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=89815|title=Cork request green light|accessdate=2008-02-20] [cite web|url=http://breakingnews.iol.ie/sport/story.asp?j=246869138&p=z46869844|title=Kilkenny offer Cork second chance in NHL clash|accessdate=2008-02-20] . This was however rejected by the CCCC on 21 February. [cite web|url=http://www.ireland.com/sports/gaa/2008/0221/1203471529359.html|title=Kilkenny gesture to Cork rejected|accessdate=2008-02-21] It also emerged that Cork couldn't be removed from the leagues as there is no rule to do so [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/weighing-up-the-options-for-the--rebel-cause-1294739.html|title= Weighing up the options for the Rebel cause|accessdate=2008-02-22] . Cork Under 21 footballer Sean Cahalane claimed that the Under 21 panel would not of played in place of the seniors if asked by the county board [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/u21s-wouldnt-have-filled-in-1294736.html|title=U-21s 'wouldn't have filled in'|accessdate=2008-02-22] . Cork went on too win their first football and hurling matches after the strike, beating Dublin's hurlers 2-16 to 3-18 3 [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0309/dublin_cork.html|title=Dublin 2-16 Cork 3-18|accessdate=2008-03-16] [cite web|url=http://www.hill16.ie/viewstoryhill16.asp?mainheading=Word+on+The+Hill&id=9693&viewstory=yes
title=Cork finish with flourish to deflate Dubs|accessdate=2008-03-16] and Roscommon's footballers 0-15 to 1-14 [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/gaa_results_footballleague.html|accessdate=2008-03-06|title=Allianz National Football League] . The result of the CCCC awarding the team Cork did not play the points has had a knock on effect on both leagues with Roscommon [cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2008/0316/cork.html|title=Roscommon reopen Cork player strike row|accessdate=2008-03-16] and Wexford [cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=91468|title=Wexford fuming over handling of Cork crisis|accessdate=2008-03-19] lodging unsuccessful appeals. Wexford's case was taken to the Disputes Resolution Authority but was also rejected [cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=93918|title=Wexford board accuses GAA of breaking rules|accessdate=2008-04-29]

National Hurling League

When the National Hurling League 2008 ended, the CCCC ruled that Cork and Waterford must play in a play off as they both finished on level points but scoring difference could not be used to separate the teams. The playoff was ordered to determine which team entered the semi-final and which entered the quarter final [cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=91778|title=Playoff for Cork and Waterford|accessdate=2008-03-26] . However both Dublin and Wexford finished on level points and having both played Cork the CCCC ruled the team's standings at the end of the league could be used and scoring difference would apply thus relegating Wexford [cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/Dublin/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=91777|title=Wexford lose out|accessdate=2008-03-26] . Which lead Wexford's chairman to accuse the GAA and the CCCC of "making the rules up as they go along" [cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/wexford-chairman-accuses-gaa-of-making-up-rules-as-they-go-along-1327336.html|title=Wexford chairman accuses GAA of 'making up rules as they go along'|accessdate=2008-03-26]

References