BY DECLAN BOGUE
d.bogue@gaeliclife.com
A SNAPSHOT of modern GAA life last Saturday evening. Under the pressbox in Ballybofey, an old-school Donegal character spends the evening abusing Derry players, with a radio clamped tight to one lug. The people around him aren't appreciating his scorn, but they are putting up with him.
After some time, an Oak Leafer asks him if there have been any scores read out from grounds around the county. He informs everyone around him that Cork hurlers have been beaten, and a cheer goes up from everyone in the vacinity.
The message is clear, the general public are browned off, not with Cork hurling, but with the major of players in their team over the last decade. After Saturday, they might not have to suffer them for much more.
Already, Diarmuid O'Sullivan has gone. He spent the winter campaigning on the other side of his father to remove Gerard McCarthy from his post. When that was accomplished, he made himself unavailable to pursue his rugby career. After pushing to play in another position for Cork, Denis Walsh felt otherwise. When his wish was not granted, he walked.
In a recent interview, he talked of the new helmet rule hastening his decision. It raised the question of why he even went out on strike in the first, although the group ethos of the '08 hurlers dictated that he would.
Joe Deane also retired, but typical Joe, with a lot less fuss. The only hope that can remain from the mess that occured at the start of the year is that the county convention will see a raft of changes made to the county executive. If that doesn't materialise, then it will be an absolute shame that Strikes I, II and III were all in vain.
Back to the helmets rule, and its significance. Donal Og Cusack has an autobiography in the making, ghostwritten by Tom Humphries, and if Humphries' style from Jack O'Connor's book is anything to go by, there will be noses rubbed in the dirt, and plenty of bridges burned. 'Lift and Strike', (the title of the book) will be the end for him. I expect it will be nothing short of the courageous honesty displayed by Cusack, but it is not conducive to furthering his county career.
Sean Og O'hAilpin has also spent all his adult years hurling without a helmet, and it is highly unlikely he will want to get used to one at his age.
With Donal Og, Sean Og and O'Sullivan all gone, along with Joe Deane, the team that won back to back All-Irelands in 2004 and 2005 is gone. There is not much coming behind them, but in future the defence should be built around Cathal Naughton and Shane O'Neill, two relative newcomers who have shown they have the minerals.
In attack, a bit more hurling and ball-alley work should bring Aisake O' hAilpin on, and then there is Paudie O'Sullivan. But it will take a lot of bravery and patience from Denis Walsh to have them challenging again. In this most volatile of counties, it will be amazing if he is granted it.
