Cork to issue detailed report in wake of football crisis meeting

This month’s Cork County Board meeting with delegates focused on the state of Cork football due to concerning results and performances over the past couple of years especially below senior level.

At SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday night, the meeting started at 8pm and didn’t finish until just after 11pm.

Over the course of the discussion that lasted more than three hours, delegates aired their views honestly and from the heart.

The Cork senior football team who started against Meath earlier this season. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

There was no major announcement or flash point, it was just a broad discussion on Cork football. It’s a starting point.

There was no mention of the Cork football management teams or the future of senior boss John Cleary. A couple of delegates did make wide berth comments about the style of play that the Rebels went with this year.

In a statement released to the media on Wednesday morning, the Cork County Committee said the following.

“The regular monthly meeting of Cork County Committee, which took place at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday 1 July 2025, was devoted to an open discussion and debate on all aspects of Cork football. The meeting, which was hugely well attended, ran for over three hours, and was characterised by positive and constructive contributions from delegates across a range of themes, with ensuing responses from Cork GAA executive and staff members.

Cork GAA CEO Kevin O'Donovan.

“The meeting commenced with a brief review of the 2019-2024 five-year plan for Cork football, presented by Cork GAA CEO Kevin O'Donovan. The wide ranging discussion that followed focused on the following themes:

1. The Cork senior football team

2. Adult & U21 club competitions

3. County underage teams (U20, minor, development squads)

4. Underage club competitions (Rebel Óg)

5. Schools (primary & post-primary)

6. Development of coaches

“The volume and extent of commentary and observations noted throughout the meeting was such that, rather than issue a regular post-meeting bulletin, Cork GAA will instead develop a more detailed and considered report, which will issue in a week's time, and will be published on www.gaacork.ie.” the statement concluded.

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