McKernan astonished at snub
Antrim hurling manager Jim McKernan
22 November 2006
Jim McKernan has issued a statement criticising the Antrim county board for failing to ratify him for a second year as senior hurling manager despite leading the Saffrons to Christy Ring and Ulster success.
McKernan was overlooked by the county board in favour of Sambo McNaughton and Dominic McKinley, despite an excellent debut year as manager in 2006.
"To say I am extremely disappointed is an understatement, I am totally astonished not to be allowed to implement year two of our three-year strategy after a very successful year which we exceeded all expectations and targets," said McKernan.
"The addition of Mick O'Connell to our management team makes the decision by the county board even more difficult to accept. My record stands for itself. Last year no one wanted this job when Antrim was in decline, it was a poisoned chalice, it had no viable vision or go forward strategy. This position has been turned round and now the players and supporters and my management team can hold our heads high.
"At the start of the year Antrim Hurling was in turmoil, they were relegated from the Liam McCarthy Cup, player confidence was decimated, and the team was in decline," said Kernan, who went on to point out that under his managerial reign the county retained their place in the NHL Division 1 with wins over Galway and Laois, ran All-Ireland champions Kilkenny to two points, won the Christy Ring Cup, claimed the Ulster SHC and reached all the targets set out by the county board at the start of the year.
"If the selection process was based on achievements, track record and effort then I cannot understand the county board's decision not to install us for another year, but that is in the past.
"I would like to personally thank my management team and players for their commitment and professionalism especially to Paul McKillen and Paul Boyle without whom our achievements would not have been met. It is with great regret that we were not allowed to achieve our full potential as a management team thus preventing us delivering Antrim into a top eight position in the country in 2007.
"Finally as a true Antrim man I would like to offer my sincere best wishes to the new senior hurling management team and I hope they achieve the goals that we had set for 2007 season."
Antrim hurling manager Jim McKernan
22 November 2006
Jim McKernan has issued a statement criticising the Antrim county board for failing to ratify him for a second year as senior hurling manager despite leading the Saffrons to Christy Ring and Ulster success.
McKernan was overlooked by the county board in favour of Sambo McNaughton and Dominic McKinley, despite an excellent debut year as manager in 2006.
"To say I am extremely disappointed is an understatement, I am totally astonished not to be allowed to implement year two of our three-year strategy after a very successful year which we exceeded all expectations and targets," said McKernan.
"The addition of Mick O'Connell to our management team makes the decision by the county board even more difficult to accept. My record stands for itself. Last year no one wanted this job when Antrim was in decline, it was a poisoned chalice, it had no viable vision or go forward strategy. This position has been turned round and now the players and supporters and my management team can hold our heads high.
"At the start of the year Antrim Hurling was in turmoil, they were relegated from the Liam McCarthy Cup, player confidence was decimated, and the team was in decline," said Kernan, who went on to point out that under his managerial reign the county retained their place in the NHL Division 1 with wins over Galway and Laois, ran All-Ireland champions Kilkenny to two points, won the Christy Ring Cup, claimed the Ulster SHC and reached all the targets set out by the county board at the start of the year.
"If the selection process was based on achievements, track record and effort then I cannot understand the county board's decision not to install us for another year, but that is in the past.
"I would like to personally thank my management team and players for their commitment and professionalism especially to Paul McKillen and Paul Boyle without whom our achievements would not have been met. It is with great regret that we were not allowed to achieve our full potential as a management team thus preventing us delivering Antrim into a top eight position in the country in 2007.
"Finally as a true Antrim man I would like to offer my sincere best wishes to the new senior hurling management team and I hope they achieve the goals that we had set for 2007 season."