Shocked Meyler sacked by Wexford

WEXFORD senior hurling manager John Meyler and his backroom team have been sensationally sacked by the county board.

Meyler confirmed last night that he had met with county board chairman Ger Doyle on Tuesday morning, and after a discussion, was informed the players had lost confidence in him.

A shocked Meyler said: “I was informed by the chairman that he had met a deputation of four players representing the full squad and they relayed to him that the players had lost confidence in the manager and his team of officials.

“This has come as a bolt from the blue. It’s very disappointing as I had met with the players a couple of days after the defeat by Waterford in the All-Ireland Championship and there was no hint of any dissatisfaction with me or the backroom team.

“It was a clear-the-air meeting during which several players said that with a tightening up on a number of things, Wexford would be on the right track.

“Unfortunately things have turned out differently. Once the county chairman informed me that the players had no confidence in me, it left me with little choice.

“I offered to meet the players to discuss the matter, but the county board official ruled that out, saying it would be pointless. When informed that the players were unhappy with me there was no point in hanging around.”

Meyler refused to elaborate only to add it was time to move on. “I’ve received a lot of knocks over the years. I’m a strong character and will bounce back from this.

“It will allow me to devote more time to my wife and family, who had to put up with me being missing a lot from home over the last two years.”

One of the selectors, Willie Sunderland, said last night he was stunned when informed of the decision.

“I was contacted by John around 1pm today. He asked if I was sitting down, then went on to inform me that we were sacked. I was totally taken aback and stunned. No one from the county board has telephoned me. Only for John I would not know we are gone.”

In a brief statement last night, the Wexford County Board confirmed that Meyler was no longer manager of the county senior hurling team.

Meyler had agreed a two-year term with an option of a third year and was expected to take up that option. This will be looked upon as a major setback to hurling in the county as he had revamped the squad in his two years in charge and had been planning for the 2009 season.

Following two crushing defeats at the hands of neighbours Kilkenny in the league and Championship, it looked as if Meyler’s charges had turned the corner after barely losing to Waterford in the All-Ireland quarter-final despite missing several key players.

Meanwhile just five months after his shock sacking by Waterford, Justin McCarthy was last night ratified as the new Limerick senior hurling manager at a meeting of the county board in Claughaun.

McCarthy will take charge for the next two years and will have the option of a further one, bringing an end Richie Bennis’ term at the helm.

During his time in Waterford, McCarthy brought three Munster titles and a National Hurling League to the success-starved Déise over seven years.

According to Limerick chairman, Liam Lenihan, McCarthy’s term could be the dawn of a new era: “We always had great respect in Limerick for Justin McCarthy’s ability as a coach and manager and we are very excited to have him on board. He has a great passion for hurling and we are looking forward to seeing him at work, particularly with the new and young players that are sure to come on the scene.”

McCarthy’s appointment is being viewed in the county as a real coup and Lenihan expects the county to give him full backing: “I can assure you as a county board we will leave no stone unturned to assist him and I am confident the supporters will vote with their feet and support him and his team.”

McCarthy’s selectors were also ratified and they are Brian Ryan from South Liberties and Liam Garvey from the Hospital Herbertstown club.

Mickey Ned O’Sullivan retains his position as senior football manager for at least one more year. He keeps the same selectors, Paddy Ivess and Joe Reddington.

There appears to be deadlock in Meath’s attempts to find a successor to Colm Coyle as county football team manager, with Mattie Kerrigan emerging as a late contender for the post.

After Eamonn O’Brien, who had been a selector with Sean Boylan for the All-Ireland triumphs of 1996 and ‘99, had been favourite to take the position, former Westmeath and Longford boss Luke Dempsey entered the race when meeting the interview committee a couple of weeks ago.

With county board officers divided on the issue, the monthly meeting scheduled for Simonstown on Monday was put back seven days.