Ryan wants ‘disaster’ of O’Grady exit to prompt Treaty change
The two-time Munster SHC-winning boss, a selector with the county’s intermediate side, was no fan of the Corkman’s style of hurling and believed it was an ill fit for Limerick.
However, he has laid the blame for the upheaval six weeks ahead of Limerick’s provincial semi-final against Tipperary squarely with officials, describing O’Grady’s exit as “a real disaster”.
He said: “Nobody expected John Allen to go but that was sloppy as well because it went on for two or three weeks without a decision.
“The elephant in the room right now is who is calling these shots? There has to be a sit-down involving everybody in Limerick because we can’t continue to do our business like this.
“Cork have had their problems and other counties have too, but Limerick are renowned for this.
“It was tough enough going to Thurles and now is a time for level heads in Limerick, but I don’t think we have them. There are too many score-settlers and too many who think they’re above reproach and can say and do what they like to people. This may turn out to be the catalyst to clear it all up once and for all.”
Ryan knew all wasn’t well on the basis of the conjecture in the county about rows inside the camp and the criticism aimed at O’Grady and TJ Ryan at a board meeting. However, O’Grady’s departure surprised him.
“It’s a disaster. The rumour mill was strong and this was going on for the last couple of weeks. At the same time, nobody expected this. It has to be a total breakdown of communications.
“When there was an open discussion at a county board meeting about the way the team were playing there were problems. That was a first in Limerick, delegates actually openly questioning the tactics.
“The fact they were Munster champions, people read a lot into that and then the appointment of Donal O’Grady was clouded in controversy as well. Everyone expected Ger Cunningham to bring it a bit of freshness, O’Grady’s style doesn’t suit Limerick and that was obvious from before.
“Limerick were under pressure not having their Na Piarsaigh players for the early part of the league. Galway were the same with their Portumna men but they were able to struggle through.
“The performance against Galway was very poor but not much poorer than the way they had been playing in the league.”
Having worked with him as a player, Ryan has a lot of time for TJ Ryan as much as he came in for negative comments after a difficult season with the U21s last year.
He has sympathy for the Garryspillane man as he has been left to manage Limerick in the interim. “He’s totally undermined for the simple reason that the two of them are in the one boat. TJ has been left to mind the house while Donal had the freedom of saying, ‘I’m not listening to this’ and ‘I’m not putting up with it’.”
Ryan has sensed a worsening attitude among fans too. “The thing about it is the support at ground level was very bad for the last couple of months. There has been no enthusiasm, nobody looking forward to the championship [or] thoughts of building on Munster final success.”
