Limerick hurlers

[heffo]

I'm not commenting good, bad or indifferent until I hear Reillers unique insight.

[orangeman]

Did any of the lads on last years panel return as was being hinted this week ?

[Minder]

James O'Brirn was to be at training the other night but got a "flat tyre" so didn't make it...........

[INDIANA]

The row in Limerick hurling rumbles on after the protesting players isssued a statment last night heavily critical of the county board for trying to pressurise younger players to return to the panel.

The statement read: 'There has been a deliberate and concerted effort by members of the county board, the team management and the backroom team to influence the thinking of club delegates and the wider Limerick public.

'There has also been a deliberate and concerted effort to influence the younger players who have pulled out of the 2010 panel, with huge pressure being put on using one player against another in trying to persuade them to change their minds.

'We will not play under the current management despite rumours, stories and spins to the contrary, most of them coming from the county board and the current management team.

'There will be no more players returning to training. It is now up to the club delegates to address the matter with the county board executive tomorrow night the future of Limerick hurling is in their hands.'

[Bing Crosby .]

Of course the C B are trying to convince the players back, what do they expect? They obviously are living in total denial. There is absolutely no justification for the course of action they'v taken.

[INDIANA]

Of course the C B are trying to convince the players back, what do they expect? They obviously are living in total denial. There is absolutely no justification for the course of action they'v taken.

They have decided not to make themselves available. Thats their right. they aren't training in secret like a renegade group with photo shoots in the indo every week. Its  not a welcome course of action I agree. But its one thats becoming commonplace. Players have unrealsitic expectations as to what they can achieve. But the likes of Tom Ryan and Co are in denial as to what limerick hurling can achieve in the short term.

But the simple solution is for Justin to bail. It mighn't be right- but  its bigger than him at this stage. If limerick get relegated I'm not sure they'll be back anytime soon.

[Bing Crosby .]

I agree with a lot of that Indy , sure it's their right to withdraw but it doesn't really make it right does it?

Yes it would be the simple solution if Justin went hiking but I don't think it would be the right thing to do. He's lasted this long because he has the backing of most of the ordinary hurling people of Limerick.The players have somehow assumed this mantle of being pure and completely in the right and to hell with the rest. I think their long term aim is to have the C B  removed ( just like Cork last year ) in order for a complete overhaul of GAA within the county. Justin is a red herring. Many people here have long been dissatisfied with the  C B for their basic lack of urgency and their lethargic approach to safe guarding our games and bolstering a winning mentality in Limerick teams, there is no reason other than complacency why we have not had more success down through the years.

I would welcome a change in the L C B but I'm afraid the 09 panel have interfered in the wrong realm and are willingly letting slip their own chance at success. Seems like madness. 

[orangeman]

I know it's a huge issue for Limerick hurling. But Limerick haven't been one of the big teams that have been winning cups recently and as a consequence the dispute has rumbled on and on. The truth is that outside of Limerick, it's not a massive issue for the average GAA supporter. Cork were a big team and the players were able to get headlines, sponsorship, photoshoots, press conferences etc and in truth, people were interested in what was going on with Gerald Mc Carthy, Donal Og, Sean Og etc.


The same can't be said unfortunately for the Limerick CB, Justin and the players.

But for the bleating of Tom Ryan, it would hardly get a mention.

I must say I have respect for the Limerick players who do seem to have kept their heads down as far as possible.

As Indiana says, if they don't want to play, that's their perogative.

[dowling]

Actually the Limerick strikers have now started training under Derry ODonovan. All very 'Cork-like' now without a doubt. Training, show of unity and throwing the blame at the county board. And once again I would guess that the hand of the GPA is well involved here but not from the point of seeking a resolution.
While it all started as if a number of players had walked away they've either rethought and changed their tact or been persuaded by others to do so. Or maybe even a bit of both. No doubt like the Cork strike it can only get worse.
If Justin resigns it's a matter of a group of players getting their preference as to who they don't want as manager. And let's not forget some of these players aren't even potential panelists at present.
Last year Cork still wouldn't have been challanging Tipp and Kilkenny even if Gerald hadn't been manager. Limerick are unlikely to blow anyone away without Justin and will be in a relegation fight whatever happens.
The problems in Limerick hurling aren't down to Justin.

[Bing Crosby .]

. Limerick are unlikely to blow anyone away without Justin and will be in a relegation fight whatever happens.
The problems in Limerick hurling aren't down to Justin.

Full stop.

[orangeman]

What's the latest ?



report from RTE here :



Following a meeting of the Limerick County Board on Tuesday, the idea of some third-party intervention was mentioned in an effort to solve the crisis that has engulfed the senior hurling side.

County chairman Liam Lenihan told delegates that the Board were prepared to engage a professional negotiator in an effort to break the deadlock which has left the county fielding a largely an understrength team since competitive action got underway last month.

However, delegates felt that the mediation route had been suggested last December, but had produced nothing. Frustrated delegates demanded an end to the divisive issue, either through a change of manager or a show of support for Justin McCarthy.

However, if clubs want to propose a change of management, it will have to be done in writing and considered by a special meeting.

Lenihan said that the team management and board executive were available for talks at all times.

He also expressed the view that a professional mediator was needed in the search for a solution to a row which has rumbled on since last October when McCarthy left several members of the 2009 squad off his new panel.

Lenihan denied that any pressure had been applied to younger members of the panel in an effort to persuade them to return to action.

A report from selector John Tuohy appeared to indicate that progress could still be made.

It's understood that Croke Park, who declined to enter the row a few weeks ago, were reluctant to become involved because their preliminary examination of the situation indicated that it was impossible to broker a solution at that stage.

[INDIANA]

Division 2 here we come.

[orangeman]

Beginning of the end for Justin


Justin McCarthy's role as Limerick hurling manager came under more pressure last night as it became clear that a special county board meeting had been arranged.

Sources indicate that eight clubs have submitted letters to the board secretary Mike O'Riordan requestìng a special meeting be arranged. Garryspilllane were the first club to submit a request.

A minimum of five clubs must submit requests in order for a special county board meeting to go ahead. At this meeting a vote on McCarthy's leadership is likely to take place.

A vote on McCarthy's leadership took place last December. At that point it was decided to retain McCarthy's services

[AZOffaly]

Better news for Limerick hurling on the school front. Ard Scoil Rís won the Harty Cup yesterday after 2 replays in a bit of an epic with Thurles. Great win for them, and I think they are the first Limerick school since 1993 to win it.

Fair play.

[INDIANA]

Beginning of the end for Justin


Justin McCarthy's role as Limerick hurling manager came under more pressure last night as it became clear that a special county board meeting had been arranged.

Sources indicate that eight clubs have submitted letters to the board secretary Mike O'Riordan requestìng a special meeting be arranged. Garryspilllane were the first club to submit a request.

A minimum of five clubs must submit requests in order for a special county board meeting to go ahead. At this meeting a vote on McCarthy's leadership is likely to take place.

A vote on McCarthy's leadership took place last December. At that point it was decided to retain McCarthy's services

Justin should save his dignity and just resign. There is no shame on his part but its simply becoming another looming fiasco.

Root and branch needed in Limerick. And its time for them to put dinosaurs like Tom Ryan into pasture once and for all. His comments have been extremely unhelpful trying to tell everyone that Limerick could compete at the top. Doesn't matter who manages them- they are going to be in the doldrums for a while.