Déise to appoint committee to decide next county manager

The Waterford County Board have put in place a six-man selection committee, including two former inter-county players, to search for a new senior hurling manager after last night’s monthly meeting at Lawlor’s Hotel in Dungarvan.

The committee will comprise of four board members and two ex-players which have yet to be selected. Chairman Tom Cunningham, secretary Timmy O’Keeffe, treasurer Joe Cleary and vice chairman John O’Leary will represent the board.

Delegates also directed the committee to look solely for a manager and not a complete backroom team. The new bainisteoir will also receive a three-year term after a proposal from Tommy Hennessy (Kill). Nominations are now open for the post and will close next Monday at midnight (September 23).

A report from outgoing boss Michael Ryan was read out to the meeting where he expressed his dismay at the train of events that led to his departure. At a meeting with the executive on Thursday August 8, he was informed that there was unhappiness within the panel at his reappointment. “To say that it shocked and disappointed me would be an understatement.”

Ryan had prepared Ger Cunningham to take over as head of coaching for 2014. He also spoke with Stephen Molumphy who was keen on a return and met with Pat Flanagan to put fitness plans in place. “My motivation has always been for the betterment of Waterford hurling,” the statement concluded.

A lively discussion ensued afterwards. In response to a query from Neil Moore (Abbeyside), Tom Cunningham denied the board had sought the opinions of players but did confirm they met with two player representatives as per GPA protocol. “The players have been hung out to dry,” Moore stated.

De La Salle delegate Seamus Quirke made a passionate defence of the players. “I think that the players have been shabbily treated. It’s in the mandate from Croke Park that you go and seek the opinions of player representatives and it’s only natural that they are going to ask the rest of the players for their opinion. I don’t think any player had disrespect for Michael Ryan. If they give their point of view why should they be harassed and it said they were traitors to the cause? There wouldn’t have been any reaction from the players if ye did your duty. One of the players from my club is very upset. They got a raw deal from the media.”