Rebel Limerick hurlers decline meeting with McCarthy

A NUMBER of Limerick hurlers who have quit the county squad have declined to meet with manager Justin McCarthy according to a board spokesperson.

Yesterday former All Star goalkeeper Brian Murray became the latest member of the panel to withdraw his services from the Shannonsiders.

It means that only ten of the 31 players on the squad at the start of theseason, are available for the 2010 season.

Murray’s announcement follows the departures last week of James O’Brien, Brian Geary, Seamus Hickey, Donal O’Grady, Wayne McNamara, Damien Reale and James Ryan as the crisis in the county continues to worsen.

However county board PRO Helen Cross last night revealed that players have rejected invitations to meet with the manager to discuss any issues and concerns they may have.

Cross said: “Justin has said he is available to talk to any player who wishes to meet him.

“But I understand that they have declined his offer. The PRO insisted that McCarthy and his management team retain the full backing of the county board.

“At a meeting of the County Management Committee in the Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday night (October 18) it was decided unanimously to support Justin McCarthy and his management team for 2010.

“The meeting ran from 7.30pm to 11.30pm – they went through everything and just felt that they needed to support Justin McCarthy as manager.

“The meeting was told that Justin will leave his door open for any of the players and is willing to talk to them.

“It’s a pity that things like this have to happen, but hopefully it will be resolved, because these situations can take a while to recover,” added Cross.

Sources in Limerick expect the matter to be discussed again at a management meeting tonight.

However the manager also appears to retain the backing of the clubs in the county as no motions have been tabled on the matter for the upcoming county convention.

Meanwhile talks that are aimed at resolving the standoff between Clare hurlers and their manager Mike McNamara are continuing in the Banner county.

The 2009 squad have voiced their concern at the county board’s decision to keep the management team of McNamara, Ollie Baker and Alan Cunningham in place for next season.

County chairman Michael O’Neill has been tasked with meeting all the parties in an effort to reach a compromise acceptable to all.

Clare PRO Syl O’Connor said last night: “Talks are ongoing between all sides and it is expected that those talks will continue throughout the week.

“There is hope that a resolution may be found at some stage next week.”