Justin offers olive branch

JUSTIN McCARTHY has extended the hand of friendship to his exiled Limerick hurlers.

The embattled Limerick boss has vowed to wipe the slate clean as he stressed that the door remained for the 12 members of the 2009 panel who withdrew their services to return.

“We wouldn’t bear an grudge and we would love to see them rethink individually or as a group and take the opportunity to return to the fold and work on getting Limerick hurling going forward,” McCarthy told the Limerick Leader newspaper.

“I would hope they realise the input they could have with our young squad.”

He added: “Anything said or done would be put behind us. We wouldn’t bear an grudge and we would love to see them rethink.

“A vote was taken and the delegates made their decision but from my point of view I do not see it as a success – my only aim is to breach the gap and bring people back on board.

“We have a very young squad and it would be great to have the older players change their minds and not bear a grudge.

“We are now in the spring or the year and the winter of discontent, weather wise and otherwise, is behind is.

“I am available at any time to sit down and discuss issues or iron out issues. Careers are short and the opportunity to play for your county should be of the utmost importance for every hurler.

“If anyone wants to come on board we would discuss things with them – I am extending the hand of friendship.

“None of us own the GAA or the Limerick team – I am only a contributor to the Limerick team.”

GAA president Christy Cooney echoed McCarthy’s call, stating the malcontents should make themselves available for selection once again.

Cooney was speaking in the wake of Tuesday’s special meeting of the county board at which a call for a rescinding of three previous motions favouring McCarthy and his management team was discussed.

The result was, instead, yet another resounding declaration of support for the Corkman with 83 delegates voting that the manager retain his position for the remainder of his term and only 47 declaring to the contrary.

“The county board has made a decision now that Justin should finish out his term this year, at least, and there is an onus and responsibility on each of the players as individuals to do what is right in the interests of the good of Limerick hurling,’’ Cooney said.

“They all have the choice, of course, as to whether they want to play or don’t want to play but I would encourage them now to sit back and have a look at where things are.

“I would like them to consider their position for the good of Limerick and, if they are considered for selection, to make themselves available.

“It has gone through a very democratic process over nearly six months now but it is time to move on.”

The likelihood that many of the dozen secessionists will now accept what appears to be the inevitable and return to the fold is debatable.

One of the 12 told this paper after the vote that “I’d rather shoot myself” than play.

The president said the divisions caused by the dispute will leave their “scars” on the club scene as well as the county set-up but played down the extent of any possible wider repercussions which this whole affair could have in the county long-term.

What has unquestionably been damaged is the top tier of the National Hurling League in which McCarthy’s side has been beaten on all four outings and by an average of 12 points that is growing week on week.

The Munster side already looks doomed to relegation with three games to go. Even an unlikely victory over Offaly this weekend would leave them up against the eight ball with two games to play.

“It hasn’t been good for the National League,” Cooney admitted, “even though I would say that it has probably been more competitive than we have seen for years, but it would be great to see a competitive Limerick playing as well.

“Now there is the chance to move that on.

“Whether Limerick will get to the heights that they would wish for themselves in this year’s league and championship I am not too sure but no individual should leave any stone unturned in trying to achieve that.”