By Brendan Larkin of the Irish Examiner CORK will have at least two new football selectors for the coming year following the decision of Terry O’Neill to step down. The other selector who drops out is Mickey Niblock. He was Nemo Rangers’ representative as county champions, but that tenure ceases now following Sunday’s defeat which ended Cork’s involvement for this year. The Bantry Blues man said yesterday he felt the job had become too demanding and he had no more to offer the team. O’Neill has been a selector for the past three years with Tompkins and Paddy Sheahan. He was also a selector in 1996 during Billy Morgan’s last year in charge.The other three outgoing selectors, team coach Larry Tompkins, Paddy Sheahan and Eamon Ryan were non-committal on their future involvement but, if they wish to continue, they must allow their names to go forward for election. A recent decision of the County Board saw the establishment of a seven-man committee, consisting of four members of the executive and three members representing the clubs, who will choose the selection committee and then put the names before the County Board for ratification.

The Executive of the County Board is expected to name its four representatives shortly and they are likely to be the main officers, chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer.

They will join Donal McSweeney (Ballinora), Bob Honohan (Bishopstown) and James O’Neill (Castlehaven) on the seven-man committee. “The game has become so professional in its application and preparation that the time required of selectors is becoming too great”, said O’Neill. “I’ve been involved since 1999 and have enjoyed it immensely but the time has come for me to move on and pursue other activities. “I had my mind made up long before this year’s championship got under way that it was going to be my last year involved.

“The commitment to the job has become too much for me. I’m living down here in Bantry and, during the year, there are at least three nights every week when I don’t get home until very late after training and matches.

“I got home last night at around 9.30pm and went for what I hoped would be a couple of quiet drinks, but had to listen to some of the worst criticism any selection committee has had to take and I’ve had enough of that also.

“It’s time to move on. I’m involved in a lot of other activities in Bantry and want to pursue them. I’ve enjoyed my time with the senior footballers and whoever comes in I’d like to wish them every success”. Referring to Sunday’s defeat, O’Neill felt that no matter how much coaxing was done by the team management, it was impossible to lift the Cork players after the Munster final defeat by Kerry in such a short space of time.

“If we had another week, it might have been different. And, of course, we had the tragic death of Kieran Daly’s young brother to contend with also.

“You cannot fault the players for effort,” he said. “To pull a 10 point deficit back to the minimum took a huge effort and the lads had nothing left in the tank to go on and win the game when it was there for the taking.

“It will be strange not having to travel to the city for training next winter and will take a bit getting used to, but there is life after football I can assure you”.