Sale of tickets discontinued at turnstiles, strongly condemned at board meeting

The entry of Cumann Lúthchleas into a super modern era of operating a cashless system received some serious discussion at our last East Cork GAA Board meeting. The Association announced that tickets must be purchased prior to arriving at the Allianz League games and they can be bought through Ticketmaster, SuperValu and Centra.

Ticketmaster have a contract with the Association and acquiring tickets from the system can be most frustrating as they even had to apologise regarding serious problems recently. Despite this, the Association expect pensioners, who struggle with technology anyway, to use this kind of service.

Both Liam O Loachdha, Youghal and Don Hegarty, Carrig na bhFear, articulated these issues and outlined that many people are just staying away from games. Of course, both pensioners and students now pay full price to get into the Allianz League games. It is a reality that there is a massive increase in the cost of living for all and concessions that were there previously, including students and pensioners, are now gone.

Cashless ticketing was reasonable during the pandemic as numbers were limited and so many were not attending anyway, but this scene should change to a more caring manner as it is our GAA – where we all belong. It was agreed that the Board would communicate with CLG Coiste Chontae Chorcaí on the matter and hopefully the system will return to more considerate and user-friendly days.

STANDARDISATION OF THE SLIOTAR DISCUSSED

At our last Board meeting, there was an interesting debate about some motions for congress, particularly the sliotar. There was agreement that there should be standardisation and one delegate outlined that we should be careful about the use of underage labour in the production of sliotars.

The story goes that the word sliotar was derived from liotar meaning hair as it was a hair hurling ball made from matted chow hair with a plaited horse hair. The first standardised sliotar appeared in 1886. Before a game between Galway and Tipperary there was a dispute over what sliotar should be used as the sliotars used by both teams varied in size and weight. Ned Treston, from Gort, Co. Galway and a saddler by trade, resolved the situation by making a new sliotar for the game at a saddlery near Dublin Castle, which became the prototype for all others for many years to come.

In the early seventies the sliotars were scarce and Willie Cummins from Cork really worked on them and delivered the All Star as the official ball for the All-Ireland final and to this day, Cummins Sports supply the sliotar for the finals.

Indeed, there was often controversy about the sliotar. Kilkenny buried a penalty against Cork in a 2013 championship game, but the referee ordered a retake. The Kilkenny man failed to convert the retake, but he did get a point. However, the Kilkenny player was adamant that he was handed out a heavier sliotar.

Then, of course, we had a Munster final in Thurles where an incident occurred before the game as the goalie of one team had his little bag of sliotars thrown into the terrace by the opposition. This begged the question, did one of the opposing officials have inside knowledge about that little bag of sliotars!

Leading players have described some sliotars they encountered in match situations as “brutal”, “terrible” and “unbelievable”. A famous Cork player once outlined that no two balls are the same, even in an All-Ireland final. A goalie also outlined there were a lot of variations, as when they went up the country for games the thickness of the rims would burn the hands of you if the ball was hit hard.

There is a huge variation in the price and quality of sliotars. They are nearly all made in Pakistan, a country where underage labour is deeply entrenched and a pressing phenomenon as almost half the population live below the poverty line. However, while many of the sliotars produced there are sold in Ireland, it is fair to say that many dealers will argue that they have found the conditions of their own particular supplier in Pakistan impeccable.

In more recent times a debate lent to having a core and sliotar that is properly manufactured in an acceptable ethically approved environment. Now a Sliotar Workgroup has brought a motion for Congress that will hopefully regulate the sliotar. This relates to the diameter, the weight, height and width of the rim (rib), thickness, lamination of the leather.

The sliotars will only be approved for use based on compliance with standards and tests as set out by Central Council who may adopt a single core that shall be used by any manufacturer/supplier who is approved to provide sliotars for use in official games. Also, sliotars may in time contain a chip that will give a “Níl or “Tá”. Of course, the CCC have already directed that yellow sliotars be used at county level and this may extend to club level in 2024.

This is a fairly big change from the present set up and no doubt those attending Congress will be as careful as they are deliberate in their decision making. Will it be a Níl or a Tá - what do you think? We will know at the weekend.

EAST CORK LEAGUE SCHEDULES CIRCULATED TO CLUBS

Our runaí, Daniel Lane and the CCC have reviewed the leagues and compiled an excellent set up for the coming season. There are 33 teams in the hurling, comprising of four leagues and 25 teams in the football, comprising of three leagues. The Football Leagues (Division 1 and 2 only) will begin on Sunday, March 6th at 15:00. The Hurling Leagues (Division 1, 2 and 3 only) will begin on Sunday, March 13th at 15:00. If clubs agree a fixture for an alternative date or time, both clubs must inform the runaí via e-mail.

The Division 3 Football and Division 4 Hurling Leagues can start when clubs wish, we are mindful that many of these teams are primarily 3rd, 4th and 5th teams. There will be a cut-off date for the completion of all league games, and this will be announced in due course, after which point no more games can be played. There is a simple and effective set of regulations governing the leagues supplied to all clubs. Thanks again to runaí Daniel Lane for his work with the CCC in this regard.

EAST CORK CHAMPIONSHIP DRAWS APPROACHING

The draws for the following championships will take place on Wednesday, March 2nd at 8pm in Midleton GAA Club - Junior A Hurling, Junior B Hurling, Junior A Football, Junior B Football. Full details of the formats, seedings, etc. will be circulated to clubs in advance. The Junior C draws will take place later to allow some clubs to confirm their participation.

EAST CORK SCÓR NA NÓG IN LISGOOLD

Scór na nÓg for East Cork will be held in Lisgoold on Sunday, 6th March at 6.30pm and the application forms have been sent to all clubs. The promotion of Scór has helped to play an important role on the revival of our culture and heritage. It is most desirable that we continue to promote Scór, as it really adds to the overall value to clubs.

The key attraction of Scór is that it brings people into a club who are not necessarily interested in the sporting side of CLCG. This creates potential to bring the club to all the community, thus increasing membership, support, and greater community interest in one’s club. Please facilitate the youth in taking part in the competition.

EAST CORK BOARD MAIN SPONSORS

East Cork Oil – Hurling. Michael O’Connor Motor Factors – Football.