‘Divisional teams must be treated as equals with clubs,' says Morgan

Former Cork manager is guest of honour at Carbery GAA All-Star awards

BY KIERAN McCARTHY

FORMER Cork football manager Billy Morgan has called on the county board to treat divisional teams the same as club sides.

Morgan, who led Cork to successive All-Ireland SFC titles in 1989 and ’90, will be the guest speaker at the Westlodge Hotel-sponsored Carbery GAA All-Stars that will be held at the Westlodge Hotel, Bantry on Saturday, November 19th, at 8pm.

Ahead of the awards, the Nemo Rangers clubman has urged the powers-that-be to ensure that there is a level playing field for divisional teams. 

Morgan highlighted examples from the past season where clubs involved in senior divisional sides had to play on the same weekend as their senior divisional team. When Carbery took on Morgan’s Nemo in round four of the Cork SFC on August 14th, Bantry Blues played Ballinora in the Cork PIFC the day before (August 13th), the same day the Bandon’s hurlers defeated Kilworth in a Cork PIHC quarter-final.

‘It’s great that someone from a junior club has the chance to play in the Cork senior championship but having said that the county board are being very unfair to divisional teams,’ Morgan told The Southern Star.

‘There have been cases, even this year, when clubs involved in a divisional team have been playing the night before the divisional team itself is playing.

‘If you are allowed into a competition then all the entrants in that competition should have a level playing field.

‘John Corcoran used to say that it looks like the county board are trying to push out the divisions. If that is the case, then put them out. But if the county board are letting them into the competition then give them a fair deal like every other team, not sticking championship games in the day before.

‘It happened to Avondhu ahead of the semi-final of the county senior football championship, it happened to Carbery as well during the season. That’s not fair. All teams deserve an equal playing field.’

Morgan is certain to be a popular figure at the Westlodge Hotel Carbery GAA All-Stars on Friday week, and he’s also looking forward to playing his role in an awards scheme that is the brainchild of the late John Corcoran, the former Carbery chairman who passed away last January.

Morgan knew Corcoran very well, as the St Mary’s clubman was a selector with Morgan for both Cork and UCC. 

‘It’s hard to believe that it is ten months; time passes so quickly. It’s important to honour a man like him and I’m delighted that I have been given the opportunity to do so at the Carbery All-Stars,’ Morgan said. 

‘When I was asked to come along I had no hesitation in saying yes. This was his brainchild. I’m delighted to do something that would honour him in some way. Also, the fact that Paddy Minihane from Bantry was a good friend of mine is another reason I have great time for West Cork football. Paddy was passionate about Bantry, Carbery and Cork football.’

Tickets for the Westlodge Hotel-sponsored Carbery GAA All-Stars are available from all Carbery clubs and board treasurer Pat Joe Connolly (086-2392888)