The appointment of Teddy Holland as manager of the Cork senior football team in October 2007 saw the Cork senior footballers withdraw their services. The players from the county's senior hurling team withdrew their services in sympathy. The strike continued until February 2008, which resulted in McCarthy's side withdrawing from the Waterford Crystal Cup as well as postponing their opening National Hurling League games against Kilkenny and Waterford. Cork were later forced to forfeit their league points after failing to fulfill these fixtures. Cork's championship campaign saw the team surrender an 85-year-old home record against Tipperary before exiting the championship at the hands of Kilkenny in an All-Ireland semi-final.