Ayatollah Seeks Advice from County Board

23rd Jun 2009

Iran Seeks Advice from County Board

Khamenei on a recent visit to the Pairc & Atlantic Pond

Cork County Board has yet to comment on the controversial Iranian Presidential elections despite the similarities between the modus operandi of the Islamic regime and the democracy flaunting sporting authority.

County Board PRO Ger Lane last night refused to be drawn on the legitimacy of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election over a week ago only commenting on the rise of St. Finbarr's footballers as they beat Na Piarsaigh's over the weekend.

Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, who has a job-for-life and is rumoured to have written his own contract too, is said to be taking advice over the phone from Cork County Board chairman Frank Murphy - himself a fluent Persian speaker.

Despite the title of "Supreme Leader" Khamenei is subject to scrutiny from an Islamic Council unlike Frank Murphy who takes orders from nobody. The Ayatollah is said to be curious and insanely jealous as to how Murphy landed this handy number.

Dunno. Ask Frank.

Khamenai is rumoured to have been advised by Murphy to stop appearing in public and to communicate as little as possible with dissenters and the general public.

Similarities with the Winter revolution on Leeside (which saw hurling Imam Gerald McCarthy ousted) and the disturbances in Tehran are difficult to ignore. Sources say that the coinciding of the Iranian Presidential Elections and the Munster hurling championship quarter final clash with Tipperary angered many ordinary Iranians who supported John Gardiner's men through out the winter - many chose to watch the Semple Stadium clash instead of voting.

However, it was the sight of shopping bags among thousands of demonstrators which triggered the CCB's sympathy with the Ayatollah's government and hardline Frank Murphy loyalists are said to be in favour of issuing a statement of support for President Ahmadinejad which they will bring to Congress later this year.

In February former Cork manager Gerald McCarthy dismissed the magnitude of the protest against his rule claiming the majority of demonstrators were "shoppers" and few, if any, were genuine GAA supporters and club members - a comment which played into the hands of the other side eventually sealing McCarthy's fate as Cork hurling manager.

Ah girls could ye look a bit more enthusiastic...

In light of Saturday week's important clash against Offaly, Captain Gardiner and his troops have remained out of the lime light and are unlikely to comment on the demonstrations in Tehran until after the match.

Despite the media blackout from Tehran 96FM's Finbarr McCarthy is said to be one of few Western reporters (there are a few from East Cork as well apparently) still reporting from inside the country - last night issuing a report on Tehran Rangers' 1-19 to 2-10 junior D football draw with St. Mahmouds.

The replay will take place on Thursday evening after the demonstration.