State of Cork football: report says five-year plan failed to meet key objectives

Irish Examiner

21-07-2025

CORK GAA chiefs have admitted failure in two of the primary objective of the five-year plan for Gaelic football development in the county – inter-county success and winning back public support for football teams.
Am executive report in the wake of a three-hour debate at County Board level on the state of football in Cork states that while most of the actions in the plan were completed, the over-arching objectives of success at inter-county level and greater engagement by the public in support of teams were not achieved.
Starkly, it also says there are not enough grass pitches available to inter-county teams in Cork to properly prepare, and there is a 'worrying' downward trend in results at under age across Munster and beyond.
The 2,000 word report, following discussions at the beginning of July, reports that 'milestones relating to success at inter-county level were not achieved - for example, a lack of success at underage level coupled with the senior team remaining in Division 2 for another season and with no All Ireland semi-final appearance in the interim. Also, the lack of engagement by the GAA public at large was clear.' The five-year plan was launched to much fanfare by then chair Tracey Kennedy, and has achieved structural and some commercial gains. It sought to achieve equity at County Board Level, a meaningful, competitive, club structure, top quality coaching, player development pathways based on scientific research, effective administration structures and, importantly, improved perception of football in Cork.
The appointment of All-Ireland winning player and manager Conor Counihan as the county's football director was seen as a good first step in that direction, but the Aghada man has not been replaced since his departure last summer.
Club competition structures have improved, though a review of divisional structures, proposed in the plan, has not been completed.
Financially there have been gains at Board level, driven to some degree by hurling success and progress. The report notes that no funding request by senior football Management was refused across the duration of the plan.
In the key areas of coaching and coaching development, the report notes: 'While there was significant progress in coach education countywide, there was a failure to engage the football coaching community to the same extent as their hurling counterparts, as well as a clear and present requirement to connect more with former players.' Progress on what remains a central tenet remains as elusive as ever, despite pledges that it remains a priority – a Cork GAA centre of excellence.
'While there was a clear improvement in terms of the provision of gym facilities and with engagement with regional facilities having been secured in clubs, there remained a shortage of grass pitches for inter-county teams. The support of MTU in this regard was noteworthy, while the pursuit of a Centre of Excellence is a clear objective of the current strategic plan,' the report says.
UNCERTAIN: Cork manager John Cleary has done three seasons as senior manager and has made progress in broad terms without securing promotion back to Division 1. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
It said that hopes the five-year plan would elevate the performances and success of Cork's inter-county teams have not been realised.
'With Cork senior footballers losing to Kerry and Tyrone in 2018 by 17 and 16 points, respectively, some would argue that results have indeed stabilised. That said, there is a worrying downward trend in many of our underage football results and the long-awaited return to Division 1 (Allianz League) football has not been achieved. Meanwhile, excellent championship performances against a number of Division 1 teams have been spoiled by poor performances versus lower-ranked opposition.
'One positive to emerge from the football plan at this level was the formation of a senior development squad which has provided a pipeline to the senior squad, with a number of new debutants emerging in the past year.' The Cork executive report says that while the five-year strategy proposed the broadening of the base of development squads, a later consensus emerged in terms of narrowing the focus to have a more significant coaching effect on a lesser group of players. 'A central venue for the training of all underage teams, as proposed, is on hold until a Centre of Excellence comes to fruition.' Following a review of the 2019-24 plan by members of the original committee, it was recommended that there be a) a further broadening of development squads, b) a review of Divisions' and Colleges' participation in County Championships, c) continued focus on the senior development squad, d) expansion of training hubs across the county and e) reform and restructuring of the county coaching committee.
Delegates at the July 1 meeting expressed their frustration at what was seen a lack of significant progress in recent seasons with one speaker arguing that the split season gave an advantage to single-code counties and was causing damage to a dual county such as Cork.
Others outlined the stagnation of Cork football for over a decade, stating that returning to Division 1 was imperative and that it may be time to consider looking outside the county. The future of senior manager John Cleary remains unclear at this time.
Cork's general style of football was criticised. 'The ponderous style and handpassing 'epidemic' were seen as covering for a skills shortage and it was suggested that the new Gaelic football rules would allow progression to a more 'forward friendly' style from Cork teams. This may entice more players towards the panel and encourage players to express themselves further rather than 'trying not to lose'.' Another area which was hotly disputed was the topic of inter-county underage players' availability to their clubs. Some felt that such players were being cocooned away from their clubs and friends, while others remained adamant that players were available to their clubs at all times.
'In truth, such availability probably varied depending on which specific age category or team management one was referring to,' the report notes.
The July 1 meeting was also addressed by Head of Games Development, Niall Twomey who was adamant that players were available to their clubs for all fixtures. He stated: 'The first principle for all players and mentors in Cork GAA Development Squads is 'club comes first'.' County Coaching Officer, Ronan Dwane, outlined the context of the absence of city players on the Cork minor football squad in 2025 due to their preference for other codes and highlighted the drawing power of Cork hurling to fringe panel members. He said the days of the dual players had long since passed and he promoted a narrowing of development squads to increase the quality of coaching and to reduce the volume of players included on extended hurling panels.
Cork's High Performance Manager Aidan O'Connell also address the meeting, highlighting a closing of the gap with competing counties in terms of S&C development over the duration of the five-year plan. He recommended that a firm focus be placed on coach education in optimising player development, outlining the various courses, conferences and workshops now available to mentors.
He also highlighted the growing requirement for specific coaching qualifications at inter-county level.
He believed coach education would 'rise all boats' and required specific and direct investment. This was even more important in the context of the rapid evolution of Gaelic football and the requirement for Cork football to be at the cutting edge of such progression.