Limerick hurlers let rip

THE Limerick hurling crisis took a sharp twist last night when the 24 disaffected players issued a hard-hitting statement, attacking both Justin McCarthy, their former manager, and their own county board.

The trouble began last October, when manager McCarthy cut 12 players from the panel, several of those among the most high-profile and best-performing members of the 2009 league and championship team, most notably defender Stephen Lucey and forward Niall Moran, along with recent All-Star Andrew O'Shaughnessy, dual star Mark O’Riordan, and ever-present stalwarts Mike O'Brien and Donie Ryan.

Team captain and All-Star nominee Mark Foley was also omitted, but he at least got the courtesy of a phone call informing him of that decision – all the others learned of their fate through the media, which led to a spate of withdrawals by a host of other top names, former captain Damien Reale the first to go. Damien was later joined by such influential stars as Brian Geary, Seamus Hickey, Donal O’Grady, James O’Brien, Gavin O’Mahony and goalkeeper Brian Murray, which left McCarthy with only six of last year’s panel.