Ryan’s hat in ring for Limerick job

FORMER coach Tom Ryan has said he is interested in taking over the Limerick senior hurling post following the sacking of David Keane after serving just one year of a two-year term.

Ryan, who took the Shannonsiders to two All-Ireland finals in 1994 and 1996 - they lost to Offaly and Wexford respectively - said: “Already four of the county’s most prominent senior hurling clubs have asked me to go forward and I will do that, and am proud to do so,” Ryan said.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the talent is in the county to win the All-Ireland.

“But there will have to be changes, hard decisions, and I’m prepared to make them in the interests of Limerick hurling”.

Dave Keane, who had unprecedented success at under-21 level, winning three All-Ireland titles in-a- row, was relieved of his duties at a county board meeting on Tuesday night.

Keane refused to comment on his sacking, but in a letter read out at the meeting, flatly rejected the notion that U-21 players received preferential treatment. However, he did claim some members of the panel had failed to adhere to the code of discipline put in place.

Following a two-hour debate, a motion to remove Keane from office received the necessary two-thirds majority which means the county are now searching for a fifth senior hurling manager in seven years.

Limerick County Board chairman Pat Fitzgerald said: “Dave Keane worked very honourably with us and we with him, and nobody is more disappointed than I at the way events have turned out.”

Mr Fitzgerald said that the four-man committee chosen by the board to deal with the matter, will interview prospective candidates: “We will then take that name to the Executive of the board who in turn will put it before the county board for ratification or rejection.

“Already there are a number of names being bandied about which is unfair on all of us, but we’ll take our time before making our decision”.

A statement issued by the Limerick County Board, said the transition from U-21 to senior level did not run smoothly and the delegates felt that to advance Limerick hurling, a new start was needed. “We need to overcome some of the difficulties and challenges recognised by both the club delegates and indeed the senior hurling management team themselves.

“The County Board would like to thank Dave Keane and his backroom team for their loyalty and outstanding contribution to Limerick hurling.”