McKenna wants Limerick job as ex-boss Cregan blasts Whelahan
Offaly born McKenna, a member of the Limerick team which last won the All-Ireland in 1973, had his claims strengthened when his South Liberties clubmate decided to withdraw his resignation as co-selector.
Declan Nash quit within hours of Whelahan’s departure but then had a change of mind after discussing the matter with family and friends. Both men are close associates of county teams sponsor JP McManus.
The county board will meet on Tuesday and it’s likely that McKenna’s name, together with Pat Herbert will be put to the floor for the position.
It is also likely that the Garryspillane club will propose former Clare selector Tony Considine, who brought them to the county final last season.
The team’s next fixture is a home NHL match with Down tomorrow week and county board chairman Denis Holmes has stated that the county board hopes to have the situation concluded ‘within the next fortnight’.
This marks the third time in recent years that Limerick have shuffled between managers in mid-season but Eamon Cregan, who was manager from 1998 to 2002, is adamant that Limerick’s season isn’t necessarily over.
“It’s only the first week in March and let’s just get this back on track.
It’s all about heart at this stage. There are still two selectors there, the trainer is still there and someone else will be appointed soon to make a third selector,” Cregan said.
Cregan is clearly irritated by the suggestion that a high-profile contender should be parachuted in.
“All this thing about high-profile managers like Ger Loughnane and Cyril Farrell coming in is crazy. How could they possibly have any knowledge about this Limerick team beyond what they’ve seen now and again?
“The Fitzgibbon Cup is more or less over now and we can all now concentrate on the important things that matter and that’s preparing as well as we can for the league and the championship.”
Cregan, is unhappy with the manner of Whelahan’s departure.
“Things are very low at the moment,” Whelahan had said after last Sunday’s insipid defeat to Tipperary.
“It can’t get much lower than we’re going now. And I’m getting older every week coming down to Limerick. That makes it worse again.”
“Things are getting frustrating inside. Next thing you’ll see the Limerick county board getting frustrated. And then what will happen?” he added.
“It’s two games into the league, against Cork and Tipperary and the man resigns,” Cregan said. “The interview he gave after that Tipperary game was one of the most negative I have seen from any manager. When the going got tough he bailed out.”
Cregan himself briefly stepped down briefly as Limerick boss two years ago due to a dual player argument before returning to the post a week later.
When asked how much of a factor dual players would be under new management, Cregan said.
“Certain people are very eager to make a big issue over the dual player thing. People in the county executive are very keen to play on it. It’s all about politics.”
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