http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...d-1688414.html
By Neil Ahern
Friday March 27 2009
CORK City's season has been dealt another off-the-field blow after problems surrounded the payment of wages this week, with Danny Murphy believed to have been left without his pay-packet for the month of March.
The former Motherwell and Dunfermline left-back was reportedly the only player not paid on Wednesday, and he was subsequently asked by the club to take a pay-cut and renegotiate his contract down from a two-year to a one-year deal, which he has since rejected.
A fan favourite amongst the Turners Cross faithful, Murphy is now expected to meet with club owner Tom Coughlan on Monday alongside representatives from the PFAI and SIPTU as the League of Ireland is hit with more wage difficulties barely four weeks into the 2009 season.
resolution
If there is not a resolution, a letter may be sent to the FAI, after which the matter may be referred to the Association's dispute resolution body and beyond that, Cork could possibly face a heavy fine for non-payment of wages.
Speaking yesterday, PFAI General Secretary Stephen McGuinness said: "This is another situation where a player has to be paid X amount and he is not being paid X amount.
"The Participation Agreement says that any deductions in payment must be agreed upon with the player and verified on a new, signed standard player's contract.
"We have previously written to the club with regard to Danny's situation and we are still awaiting a response. The one thing we need in this league now is contract stability.
"We need contracts to be honoured by the club and we would also like the FAI to row in behind the players."
Murphy said yesterday: "As far as I'm concerned I've got a two-year contract at Cork City at the moment and I'm going to work away for the next two years of my contract."
Tom Coughlan and Cork City were also contacted by the Irish Independent yesterday but declined to comment.
It is an off-the-field distraction City could do without, especially as they struggle to get up and running on the field and they will be looking for their first league win this season at home to Bray Wanderers tonight.
After conceding two extremely late goals at Derry last week, manager Paul Doolin is adamant that his side need to put an end to unforced errors if they are to start climbing the table.
"We have to get it into our heads that no matter how well we play, we cannot concede late goals. There is no mystery other than defending properly, and we have to concentrate and eradicate these mistakes," Doolin said.
Cork have been boosted this week by the news that Stephen O'Donnell's injury is less serious than was first thought.
It appeared that the former Bohemians midfielder's season was all but over after damaging his cruciate ligament, with a lay-off of at least six months originally expected, but it appears now that he may return after three months.
Drogheda United, meanwhile, yesterday confirmed a sponsorship deal with Hunky Dorys, handing the 2007 champions a huge boost as they continue to struggle in the wake of examinership.
- Neil Ahern
