Limerick plan to use Tipp mauling as motivation

LIMERICK’S hammering in the All-Ireland hurling semi-final against Tipperary should serve as a powerful motivation for the team going forward, writes county secretary Mike O’Riordan in his report to last night’s annual convention in Caherconlish.

Chosen last May as the county’s first full-time secretary, he says that the game produced “one of the worst displays for generations.”! “The game from a Limerick point of view lacked flair, intensity and steel, which is traditional with Limerick teams. The scoreline on the day told its own story with a 24-point drubbing and it is hard to pinpoint any given factor prior to the day to legislate for such a display.

“For the coming year it will be important that everyone will remember this day and that they will feel the pain until there is an opportunity to redeem themselves against Tipperary or Cork in the Munster hurling championship.’’ He praises the senior football team for their performances over the course of the year, stating they were unlucky in the Munster final and the All-Ireland qualifier game against Meath.

The board had an operating deficit of €119,251 on its activities for the year, which reflected a reduction of €170,000 in net gate receipts compared to 2008. In a comment, he says that the accounts show that the county is facing “challenging times” ahead and that the board has got to be prudent in relation to their finances.

“We have to find areas where capital can be raised to ensure proper investment in quality structured projects for coaching and games, as this year we can see sharp decreases in our funding from Croke Park.”

The convention marked the end of PJ Ryan’s life-long involvement with the GAA in the county stretching back to the 1930s, when he was chosen as assistant secretary of the Galbally club.

Replacing him as delegate will be Rory Kiely. A former chairman of the Board, he had been a member of the Munster Council since the 1980s.