Limerick boss must give two year pledge

THE next Limerick hurling manager will be asked to give a two-year commitment to the team and is expected to be named next week.

However, the initial work of the three-man appointments committee will be presented to the senior officers of the county board and the process of putting forward a recommendation to the clubs of the county may not be completed in time for the next scheduled meeting tomorrow night week.

County chairman Liam Lenihan confirmed the independent appointments committee have not finalised their work.

“As soon as they have somebody got they will be back to us. It would be great if they could have it for the October County Board meeting, which is on the 11th. But, the important thing is to get it right.

“Last year with Donal O’Grady, he said he’d stay a year and obviously it was great to get a person of his calibre.

“We were hoping as the year went on and the year was up that he would stay a second year, but he didn’t. You’d be hoping to give somebody at least a two-year term.

“All the successful managers just don’t come in overnight and win All-Ireland because it takes getting to know the players and getting systems in place. It would be great if I could say we will appoint a manager and he’ll win an All-Ireland in one year.”

But he refused to be drawn on the identity of the candidates which have been approached so far.

“I have not spoken to the lads of late. There is speculation about certain people. That’s out there and it’s known, but I don’t know who has been interviewed.”