No Romance in Cork GAA

11th Feb 2009

No Romance in Cork GAA
Finbarr Barr

Photos: Keith Cunningham

As Valentine's weekend rolls into the Peoples Republic on the bitter northerly winds there is still little love to be seen in the inner sanctum of Cork GAA. With over 10,000 fans at Saturday's march for the hurlers and just 2,000 on Sunday at Pairc Úi Chaoimh both "sides" have begun trading blows about the significance (or insignificance) of those figures.

Brian Corcoran talks sense	Bomber thanks fans

One thing that cannot be denied is that the huge turnout for the 2008 hurlers was astounding and was a credit to the users of our website who organised a large portion of it and have received, or demanded little credit for it.

We expected around 3,000 with the dry weather but with such astounding numbers even the players looked stunned when they took to the stage as Gardaí had to close down the entire street to traffic.

The conduct of those on the march was impeccable - marshalled closely by a large group of voluntary stewards decked out in snazzy looking reflector vests. It was suggested by this column and several of the organisers that the tone of the march should be a positive one as far as possible and that it should be seen as support for the 2008 players and not as a protest against anybody in particular.

After this respectful restraint it was disappointing to hear Gerald MacCarthy's post-match interview on Sunday after the loss to Dublin and his inability to resist referring to those who attended the game the "real" fans.

We don't doubt that those at Pairc Úi Chaoimh are dedicated Cork supporters but to imply that the (much larger group) on Grand Parade are not as "real" moves the debate into worrying partisan territory. Publicly annexing fans is counterproductive for the long term unity and success of Cork GAA.

One can't help recalling the Monty Python movie classic The Life of Brian and the palpable hatred between the People's Front of Judea and the Judean People's Front whilst the common enemy, the Romans (read: Kilkenny), remained virtually unopposed in power. Anything that accentuates the subdivision of fans by those involved directly in the dispute only serves to polarise Corkonians even more and should be avoided from here on.

PRIDE IN THE JERSEY
Another red herring is the repetitive and often reckless use of the phrase "pride in the jersey" and the implication that the 2008 squad lack it. The evidence to the contrary is overwhelming and this childish jibe does not help the arguments of those who use it. Instead only serving to blur the real issues and facts.

Last week this column stressed that the 2009 'development' squad should equally not have their own pride questioned. Their presence alone helps to prevent automatic relegation to Division Two albeit if there's no resolution to the debate before the end of the league then that demotion looks inevitable.

And the lads did their best against Dublin and nobody should speculate about their commitment to Cork. However it is only fair and logical to say that just because those players are lining out in red and white doesn't imply that they subscribe to the County Board's way of doing business (and that is a loaded phrase in itself). It implies nothing only a love of Cork.

Whatever side you are on, it is wholly disingenuous to use any player's commitment to and love of Cork to strengthen your argument. How can the amount of pride in a young enthusiastic Cork hurler be scientifically measured and compared to the pride of somebody who has All-Ireland medals falling out of his pockets? Anecdotal, often twisted, evidence should not be entertained. Can we please leave this nonsensical and totally immeasurable issue of "pride" out of the debate please?

LOVE BUZZ
When people who enjoy hurling and football think about how much they love Cork they think of sunny days in Thurles, Killarney and Croke Park. They think of last minute points from their heroes, an adrenaline rush and a pitch invasion. That unique buzz of being part of the Cork tribe is secretly what all sports mad Corkonians get off on. If a love of Cork is at the core of your pride then sporting victories are like making love. One fuels the other.

Love for one's county can bring joy to even the heaviest heart. Bursting with grá for Cork in the few short hours after a great match our troubles are temporarily forgotten: the death of a loved one, ill-health of a parent, the frustration of unemployment or stomach-knotting break-ups. For nobody knows what hardships the smiling Rebel beside you on the terrace has endured.

PROC Samba Band: if you attend Cork GAA or soccer matches regularly and would like information about getting involved send an expression of interest to music@peoplesrepublicofcork.com

As we bound around the field like spring lambs and embrace random strangers in red and white those magnificent heart-stopping victories are like a shot of morphine to the woes of the world.

And all those Cork 'heads' you meet feel like brothers and sisters: the fella you bought a pint for because he drove up from Beara; being bought chips by a fella you haven't seen since school; hitching a lift from a bunch of ball-hoppers from The Glen who keep you entertained all the way home.

This Valentines weekend we dream of that love once again - everyone united under the banners of the blood and bandage - and we hope that in 2009 it is not unrequited.

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