The 2008–2009 Cork Hurlers strike was a withdrawal of playing services by the 2008 Cork Senior Hurling panel over the issue of team management.The strike marked the third such strike in five years with the 2007-2008 Cork players strike being the most recent. Reports of unrest with in Cork began at least as early as 4 November 2008 when current manager Gerald McCarthy played down talk of unrest in the panel.[1]
Contents |
In January the 2008 panel issued a statement outlining their reasons for striking , primarily claiming the Cork County Board was not following the processed agreed in the aftermath of the 2007-2008 strike.[2]
With the strike ongoing the Cork county board fielding a team made up of players who were not involved in the 2008 panel. While an estimated 10,000 marched in support of the striking hurlers.[3] The Cork footballers have said they will join the Hurlers on strike if the matter is not settled by the end of the National Football League.[4] While the Hurlers asked the clubs of Cork too put a motion of no confidence in Gerald McCarthy before the county board.[5]
On 1 March 2009, Cork management were forced to field an understrength side that was defeated by Galway by 14 points in front of crowd of only 600[6] their third defeat in a row.
On 5 March 2009, Na Piarsaigh became one of many clubs to support the hurlers.[7]
On 10 March 2009, Gerald McCarthy confirmed that he would be stepping down as Cork hurling manager with immediate effect after reported death threats.[8]