Limerick peace talks ‘totally inconclusive’

TALKS aimed at resolving the crisis in Limerick hurling on Saturday night proved ‘totally inconclusive’ according to a senior board official.

GAA bosses on Shannonside admit they are no closer to brokering a peace deal between manager Justin McCarthy and senior players angered at the manner in which 12 members of the 2009 squad were axed from the panel.

A further eight have withdraw their services for the 2010 campaign.

Now the board have fixed a management meeting for tomorrow night to discuss the matter while a full county board meeting has been called for Thursday night in an effort to end the crisis before Christmas.

The Saturday night meeting, which was instigated at the county convention earlier this month, was attended by 21 players, representatives of clubs with county players, and by board officials.

Justin McCarthy and his management team were not in attendance.

Limerick PRO Helen Cross admitted last night that the deadlock remains.

“The objective wasn’t achieved at the meeting on Saturday night.

“It was totally inconclusive.

“There was a large turnout of parties but unfortunately no agreement was reached.

“As a result of that a management meeting has been called for Tuesday night and then a full board meeting will take place on Thursday night.’’

Meanwhile, the stand-off between players and management across the Shannon in Clare continues with no developments over the weekend.

The 2009 squad met with the county board executive and manager Mike McNamara last Sunday but there has been no talks between any of the parties since then.

The players, unhappy with Clare’s showing in the league and championship this year want a new management team while McNamara and his selectors Alan Cunningham and Ollie Baker have another year to run at the helm.

The annual Clare GAA convention is scheduled for Thursday night. However PRO Syl O’Connor believes that there may be developments before then.

“There is slight expectation that there may be news on the matter in the coming days. Personally I think it will not go as far as the convention but we will have to wait and see.

“There has been no more talks since all involved met in Ennis a week ago.”