Rebels without a clue

First let me say that Cork GAA and its politics are the most complex in the GAA family.

In fact, they are probably more complex than the average Bertie Ahern statement on the few quid he has lying around the house.

However the current player dispute is complex on the surface but simple in the end.

Like the average GAA supporter I backed the players strike in 2002 and it improved facilities for all inter county players.

I believe the GPA is a good thing and the grant payments are a measured and deserved scheme. Like most fans I would know a few players and the sacrifices they make to play for the county.

However this dispute has felt different from the start.

The board decided that that it wanted to choose the selectors, not the manager. A deal was brokered to get through this year and look at it for next year.

Not good enough say the footballers, we wont play for Teddy Holland.

He is the man chosen, by their clubs, and while we all miss Billy Morgan, they need to get on with it and play for him.

You have been murdered by Kerry repeatedly under Billy. As one of your most famous sons once said "To keep doing the same thing and expect a different result is the definition of stupidity"

A poll on An Fear Rua, the best GAA site on the web, is 2-1 in favour of the board on this one. The fact that the average non-Cork supporter would choose Frank Murphy's view ahead of Nicholas Murphy's view is telling.

Player power is the heart of this and if no Cork team plays in the league the focus will be elsewhere. No games means no sponsor money and no gate money. This will affect the entire Cork GAA family, not just the elite players.

Time for the players to shut up, play and leave the politics to the politicians.