Limerick learns from 2010 ‘torture’

A LIMERICK GAA chief is convinced “lessons have been learned” from the hurling controversy which rocked the county throughout 2010.

Board secretary Mike O’Riordan, in his report to annual convention, said officials will do all in their power to avoid a repeat of the dispute which arose after former senior hurling manager Justin McCarthy’s cull of players at the end of 2009. Subsequently the majority of that squad refused to play for the county in this season’s league and championship and a war of words erupted between opposing factions.

Limerick were relegated from NHL Division One and failed to win a game in the championship.

O’Riordan wrote: “Since October 12 months ago this county has been dragged through the depths of what can only be described as torture. All sides were wrong, there is no two ways about that.”

“Lessons have been learned and we will endeavour to make sure events like this will never occur again,’’ added O’Riordan, pointing out structured procedures are now in place through Croke Park-initiated manager and player charters for all counties.

“There always has to be an avenue open for dialogue, irrespective of the situation,’’ he adds.

“I know the abuse the players, team management and our officers had to endure was hard and often unimaginable.’’

In this context, he pays a tribute to the county board chairman, commenting: “Liam Lenihan has come in for a lot of stick this year but all I can say is you could not meet a more genuine Limerick man.’’

After what he describes as a ‘fruitless’ National League campaign, he reminds delegates that the county was relegated to Division Two and that defeat to Cork in the Munster championship in Páirc Uí Chaoimh was followed by losses to Dublin and Offaly in the qualifier series. However, he notes that the team was unlucky in the game against the Faithful County in Tullamore, in that they “nearly” claimed victory after “an admirable display”.

Looking to the future, he stresses the need for a good foundation.

“To succeed with this, we have to invest in the future to develop our flagship team with a conveyer belt of talent with five or six players hitting our senior panel annually. To nurture underage teams from our U13 team of excellence squads right up to our senior teams, is essential and we need to concentrate on these teams along with developing the better performance ratios at clubs level.

“We all have to realise that no one individual or individuals are bigger than Limerick so I hope everyone will be behind the new panel and management team in 2011. The appointment of Donal O’Grady, his trainer Gerry Wallace, selectors Ciarán Carey, TJ Ryan and Pat Heffernan seems to have received universal approval. I hope they get the support for the 2011 campaign and we wish them success.”

Elsewhere in his report he pays tribute to Justin McCarthy and his management team. “I would also like to thank Justin McCarthy, Brian Ryan, Liam Garvey, John Tuohy and their backroom team for their efforts.”

Predictably, he is loud in his praise for the senior footballers, saying that they deserve “pride of place” for their historic NFL Division Four title win in Croke Park and their championship efforts. “The team, as a unit, through the year gave 100% and if ever a group deserved to win a Munster championship it was this team. I don’t know if the team can go back to the well again next season but I hope they can give it one more shot to get that elusive Munster Senior Football cup.”