Cork footballers need more support instead of being criticised by hurling diehards
The Louth supporters were out in force at Inniskeen, while there were very few Leesiders in attendance. Picture: Ben McShane/Sportsfile
THE curtain came down on another disappointing season for Cork's footballers on Sunday as its supporters were again left with more questions than answers for the future.
Ironically, the season ended as it started with only a handful of hardened supporters travelling to a northern destination to witness their team outplayed.
Meanwhile, those AWOL at the Monaghan venue took to social media to vent their fury at John Cleary and his tactics. There was no such reaction to the hurlers the previous day. The reality is no one ever criticises a winning team.
Interestingly, the initial call to rejuvenate our footballer's fortunes is to win promotion back to Division 1 of the national league. Have the Rebel supporters forgotten that we spent the past two seasons avoiding relegation in Division 2?
Outside of Nemo, the Barrs and champions Castlehaven, who else is set to trouble the big three's ambitions to win the senior county football title again? Possibly an outside flutter on Clon.
The same can't be said of the hurling competition, as the eventual winners are not as predictable.
It's very easy to point an accusing finger at Páirc Uí Chaomh and call for changes, but supporters and clubs should remember when you point a finger there are always three pointing back at you.
For example, the Carrigdhoun division, the Junior A football competition has been dominated recently by Ballygarvan and Valley Rovers, with Kinsale making a guest appearance before returning to greener pastures.
Not so long ago, Courcey Rovers, Tracton, and Ballymarlte were in the melting pot to claim the Pa Joe Cronin Trophy. However, their interest has waned, with the Minane Bridge outfit falling to Junior B status.
Ballinhassig is a club that has bucked that trend. They reached the JAFC final in 2021, were narrowly beaten in the semi-final of the Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship the same year, and featured in a SE Junior A Football Final in 2022.
Of course, Carrigdhoun is not the only division to suffer from such a perception, and change can only come from the ground up.
Contrast the many families entering the gates of Semple Stadium on Saturday to follow the fortunes of the hurlers, but only a dusting of hardcore diehards made the trip to Monaghan.
Like it or lump it, Cork's failure to return to the top table of the country's competition will only come when the association puts the game back at the heart of the clubs in the county.
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