Limerick board chief rejects intimidation claim in strike saga

LIMERICK chairman Liam Lenihan last night rejected claims that his board has been involved in a campaign of intimidation and bullying against members of the 2009 hurling squad who refuse to play under Justin McCarthy.

The long running saga on Shannonside is set to dominate tonight’s scheduled meeting of the Limerick County Board in Claughan.

“There is one item on the agenda, ‘Response from Croke Park to request for mediation in senior hurling impasse’ (Croke Park turned down the request),” said county PRO Helen Cross yesterday.

“It will probably be brought up under that.”

On Sunday night the disaffected players issued a statement claiming that a deliberate and concerted effort is been undertaken by members of the county board, the team management and the backroom team to influence the thinking of club delegates and the wider Limerick public with regards the conflict.

The players added that: “It is now up to the club delegates to address the matter with the county board executive on Tuesday night next – the future of Limerick hurling is in their hands.” However Lenihan last night fired back and vowed the board will respond to claims made by the players.

“There is no official response yet to the players’ statement, because we haven’t had a chance to meet,” said Lenihan.

“Believe it or not, we have a lot of other business to attend to.! The board will be meeting Tuesday evening.

“Obviously it will be discussed, and we will be issuing a response to the allegations, but I doubt that anyone has been intimidated or bullied – certainly I didn’t do so, but I can only talk for myself. Anyone who knows me knows that wouldn’t be my style.”