Cork in Trouble Again?

**Sidefx** · 27/03/2009, 9:04 AM

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

**Longfordian** · 27/03/2009, 9:13 AM

Ridiculous carry on from Coughlan in fairness. He's the one that gave him the new two year contract. Wasn't Murphy one of the very last to get his back pay as well?.

**Tis-smeee** · 27/03/2009, 9:42 AM

http://www.derrycityfc.net/cityweb/L...ft-unpaid.html

I wonder what the excuse will be now

**Macy** · 27/03/2009, 9:43 AM

Makes an absolute farce of licencing. It didn't take long for financial issues to raise their head, again.

**Longfordian** · 27/03/2009, 9:51 AM

Why leave him out and try and force him to change his contract though?. I mean they were hardly just 2-3000 short or whatever and decided to pick his name out of a hat. It seems to be almost blackmailing him into signing yet another new reduced contract. If he doesn't he'll have to wait for his wages all the time.

**jimhacker** · 27/03/2009, 9:55 AM

Originally Posted by Tis-smeee

http://www.derrycityfc.net/cityweb/L...ft-unpaid.html

I wonder what the excuse will be now

You seem to have a particular fascination with anything remotely negative that concerns Cork City.

I'd like to invite you to join our forum where you might find a more balanced point of view and even join in discussions on a broader range of subjects.

**LeixlipRed** · 27/03/2009, 10:00 AM

Maybe Danny has cancer and they're trying to get rid of him

**jimhacker** · 27/03/2009, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by LeixlipRed

Maybe Danny has cancer and they're trying to get rid of him

Quality post.

As one would expect.

**GlasnevinRed** · 27/03/2009, 10:33 AM

Would Cork still have gotten a PD license if this had been going on sooner?

It seems they were just delaying the inevitable long enough to stay in the premier.

**Tis-smeee** · 27/03/2009, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by jimhacker

You seem to have a particular fascination with anything remotely negative that concerns Cork City.

I'd like to invite you to join our forum where you might find a more balanced point of view and even join in discussions on a broader range of subjects.

Sorry did I hurt your feelings , an yes I do have a fascination with EVERY time you run into trouble , it proves you should never have gotten a license.

But please balance out why a member of your playing staff has not been paid for me

**yiddo** · 27/03/2009, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Longfordian

Why leave him out and try and force him to change his contract though?. I mean they were hardly just 2-3000 short or whatever and decided to pick his name out of a hat. It seems to be almost blackmailing him into signing yet another new reduced contract. If he doesn't he'll have to wait for his wages all the time.

Danny Murphy is owed a big wedge of back money going back to last year so from Coughlan's point of view he's a big problem!

**micls** · 27/03/2009, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by LeixlipRed

Maybe Danny has cancer and they're trying to get rid of him

Is there not enough facts out there to criticise rather than making things up?

1) Farrelly didnt have cancer, though he was very very ill
2) The club did not choose to get rid of him. The examiner did, along with many other staff. Im sure theyve an email address where you can vent your anger at how they do their business.

**Ezeikial** · 27/03/2009, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by jimhacker

You seem to have a particular fascination with anything remotely negative that concerns Cork City.

I'd like to invite you to join our forum where you might find a more balanced point of view and even join in discussions on a broader range of subjects.

Please add some balance here!

Irish Independent reported that Cork tried to re-negotiate Danny Murphys contract from 2 years to 1 year, which he rejected. Indo alleges that subsequently Cork left him (and him alone) unpaid for the month of March.

As Tom Coughlan declined to comment, we could badly do with any "balance" that could be offered to this story.

**Longfordian** · 27/03/2009, 10:41 AM

We're four weeks into the season and already he can't meet his commitments and this time there's no doubt that they're his commitments. How are things likely to improve from here on in?. Worrying times for Cork fans I'd reckon.

**Macy** · 27/03/2009, 10:43 AM

It's probably just an "administrative error" or whatever excuse they used last month.

**Tis-smeee** · 27/03/2009, 10:48 AM

Why was this moved from the main page?
Thought we were finished with this on foot?
Trying to bury bad news?
Maybe the other fans of the league have an interest?

**pól-dcfc** · 27/03/2009, 10:54 AM

This should definitely be on the front page. It's a concern for fans of all clubs, as Cork City once again make a mockery out of the league.

Burying bad news?