Parents of Cork development players asked to contribute €100 for operational expenses

Each player’s family has been requested to make a €100 payment, which will go toward pitch hire for training and games in MTU and Mallow, gym hire for regional strength and conditioning hubs in Bishopstown, Mallow, Midleton and Clonakilty, webinars on nutrition, sports psychology and sports parenting, catering for squads and bus transport for matches.

“You are kindly requested to assist with these significant operational costs incurred over the season,” reads the email. The message on the payment link adds: “Your contribution directly supports our coaching and games squads – from U14 Hurling and Football, U15 Hurling and Football, and U16 Hurling and Football.

“These squads are the foundation of Cork’s next generation of players, giving young athletes the skills, guidance, and opportunities they need to reach their potential. By backing our underage squads, you’re not just supporting today’s players – you’re investing in the future of Cork GAA.” Last year’s financial accounts showed development squad venue expenses came to €78,000 and €50,000 was spent on their catering and transport. General games development equipment costs were €166,000.

Cork had 19 development squads this year, two fewer than 2024. The U14 football squad was broken into five groups in 2025 – north, mid, east, west and city – with the hurling comprising four groups (mid and west combining). At U15, there were three teams in both codes and two at U16 level.

In his annual report in 2024, Cork GAA chief executive Kevin O’Donovan revealed 900 players across 21 teams from U14 to senior inter-county were part of an athletic development programme involving 24 strength and conditioning coaches. Particularly in football, development squads in Cork have come in for sharp criticism recently. At the county’s football review meeting in July where the board acknowledged key objectives of their five-year plan for the game were not achieved, it was revealed the strategy to broaden the development squads base was shelved as “a later consensus emerged in terms of narrowing the focus to have a more significant coaching effect on a lesser group of players annually.” Also at that gathering, the quality of coaching in development squads was questioned. It was also suggested games development coaches at minor and U20 level take more of a role in nurturing the talent.

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