Cork GAA President aims to resolve row

Cork GAA President Derry Gowen is aiming for a peaceful start to the new year for the Cork senior hurlers after revealing that a facilitator has been appointed to try and resolve the growing conflict between players and management.

In a statement issued last night, Gowen revealed that the process is already in motion in a bid to resolve the conflict which has developed between the Rebels' hurlers and their manager Gerald McCarthy in recent months.

'I am pleased to confirm that I have appointed an independent chairman to facilitate a meeting between all parties involved in the current Cork hurling impasse,' Gowen enthused.

'The appointment flows from the initiative agreed at the recent Cork County Board Convention and follows sustained dialogue by me with the County Board, the team manager Gerald McCarthy and player representatives.'

Although Gowen heavily praised the involvement of the third party in helping to resolve the dispute, the name of the facilitator was not revealed.

'I am extremely grateful that the chairman, who has no active involvement with the GAA, has agreed to take on the responsibility.

'He will operate fully independently of any of the parties involved and has taken on the position on the basis that his role will be confidential.'

And Gowen also stressed the importance of all those involved throwing their weight behind the decisions of the chairman.

'I urge all involved to co-operate fully with the chairman whose responsibility it will be to convene a meeting of all concerned as a matter of urgency.

'I wish to sincerely thank the representatives of all parties involved for there co-operation with me in this matter.'