Courtney furious at behaviour of Wexford board

JOHN COURTNEY, who was approached to manage the Wexford senior footballers, has launched a stinging criticism of the Board for their handling of the process.

The former Kildare boss, is furious with the treatment he received from the Board.

"When approached I said I might be [interested]. I spoke with them, but on reading of Luke Dempsey's position in the paper, obviously they have made a decision."

"When they contacted me, and having spoken with them, I made one request of them. I requested them to please ring me when they made a decision, but with the way County Board's have conducted their business it has been totally unsatisfactory.

"I would have been happy if they had picked up the telephone, explained their position, and their decision. Having intimated an interest in the job once approached, they then go around and handle it so badly."

Courtney claims: "I asked the people I spoke with not to do anything in the way of announcements in the paper, until they have spoken to the people they talked to. Then I turn around and read this in the paper, with not even the courtesy of a telephone call. Perhaps they may contact me sometime this week.

"That looks the end of it as far as I'm concerned, but I'm not surprised, given the way County Board's have conducted their affairs this year.

"We all hear about the managers, but not the County Boards. The Limerick handling of their Hurling Managers position was a fiasco, while in Cork we had Colman Corrigan practically appointed, only for Billy Morgan to walk out with the job. That's not taking from Billy, I'm delighted for him, while we have all read of the treatment of Paídí Ó Sé in Kerry, and Paul Kelly in Offaly.

"Now we have this fiasco in Wexford, where despite my pleas for a phone call before making a decision, I'm still waiting. Obviously Luke Dempsey has said he's interested, and it appears from reading the paper Wexford are going down this road. It's just another indication of how County Board's handle their business," said Courtney.

However County Chairman, Sean Quirke, has held out an olive branch to Courtney, clearly stating that the entry of Dempsey is speculation at the moment. "Up to Wednesday night he had not entered the race as such. One of the selectors may have spoken to him on the telephone, but at the moment he's not in the picture."

"We are still talking, but it could be the end of November before we announce a manager. After the talking is over we'll sit down and consider the names. Clearly we want the right person, and will not rush into it. We spoke with Michael Dempsey, the former Laois Manager, but after lengthy consideration he declined. That delayed the selection process somewhat," added Quirke.

Meanwhile native John Hunt has been appointed manager of the Meath senior hurling team for the coming three years, in succession to former Offaly star Michael Duignan.

Hunt, whose appointment was ratified by the Meath County Board this week, acted as a selector last year.

"As their performances in the National League over the past number of years have shown, there is plently of hurling talent in Meath, and my first priority will be to develop that talent. He vowed Carlow would raise their targets for the coming season, after the upset of losing to Carlow last season.

Limerick will not be naming their senior hurling team selectors for another few weeks, according to board secretary James Hartigan.

Hartigan confirmed that they had opened talks with a number of candidates. He would not confirm or deny that former county star Gary Kirby had turned down an invitation to be one of new manager, Padjoe Whelehan's back room team.

"I am not in a position to reveal any names at the moment," said Hartigan, adding that the candidates chosen by the board executive, would have to be ratified at a full meeting.