Treaty: We were right to fight

LIMERICK secretary Mike O’Riordan has staunchly defended his county against what he believes were accusations they had brought the GAA into disrepute by threatening to boycott the forthcoming Allianz Hurling League.

The Kilmallock man maintains an injustice was committed againstLimerick after they were demoted to the second tier of the competitiondespite winning Division 2 this year.

He has also called for a committee to be established to review the league structure on an ongoing basis.

Limerick find themselves outside the top flight in Division 1B after Central Council voted to move away from the previous eight-team Division 1.

Along with seven other counties, Limerick attempted to reverse thedecision but have been appeased by an amendment to the system which will see the winners of the top two Division 1B finishers play-off to face the Division 1A table-toppers in a semi-final.

However, O’Riordan is adamant Limerick were right to protest against what they believe was a wrong committed against them.

“Limerick, having won the Division 2 League in 2011, were not promoted and Wexford, who seemed to avoid relegation in 2011, were actually relegated,” stated O’Riordan.

“It is very disappointing having commenced the league at the start of the year and, winning it to earn promotion, only to be relegated at the stroke of a pen. We as a county took a stand against what we believed to be an injustice done to us, even though some members from other counties felt we were bringing the association intodisrepute.

“I would like to thank the other counties that supported us and hopefully we can win the league again this year. I would suggest that a committee would be set up to review the league on an ongoing basis for its duration, and that any proposal for change would come before the commencement of the final year in the current league cycle.”

Limerick were joined by all six Division 1A teams — Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Tipperary and Waterford — as well as Wexford in their protests against the originalrestructuring.

O’Riordan has also sent out a warning that Limerick will have to cut the costs of preparing their inter-county teams after spending almost €700,000 in 2011.

This year’s figures showed an increase of € 95,152 on the 2010 total of €597,448, although Limerick reaching the quarter-finals of the football and hurling championship have to be considered.

“The amount of money spent on county teams will have to be reduced and all budgets for these teams will have to be adhered to unless our supporter groups are willing to facilitate it,” said O’Riordan.

Limerick officials reported considerable increases in income and expenditure. However, the overall deficit for the year was reported as €16,383, which is down significantly from the €99,653 deficit announced last year. Limerick’s income jumped by €332,359 to almost €1.6m, with coaching accounting for €193,000 of this increase.

Meanwhile, O’Riordan also revealed the Gaelic Grounds is the Munster stadium whose attendance has been least affected by the Slattery health and safety report. The venue’s 60,000-capacity has been reduced to just less than 56,000 because of floodlight pylons on the two terraces. However, O’Riordan has voiced concern about the Gaelic Grounds being the Limerick County Board’s only viable source of revenue.

With that in mind, it’s their intention to stage a concert at theEnnis Road venue next summer.

“The Gaelic Grounds is currently in a worrying situation as the only way of generating capital is through gate rent and limited advertising opportunities in the venue. There will be an application to the Limerick City Council before the end of December to remove a stipulation on our current planning documentation that only sporting events can be held in the Gaelic Grounds. We are also in the process of meeting with a national concert promoter with a view ofhosting an event in 2012.

“The economic value to Limerick city and county would be in the millions and with the economy the way it is at present, this would be of huge benefit to the whole community, not alone the GAA.”

Meanwhile, former Clare senior hurling manager Ger ‘Sparrow’ O’Loughlin is back in charge of former Limerick champions Adare.

O’Loughlin guided the club to three successive Limerick senior hurling championship titles (2007-09), before stepping down to take the Clare job in 2009.

Meanwhile, Mickey Moran’s former selectors Barney Breen and George Dugdale have been given the job of succeeding the Derry man for the next two seasons at Leitrim.

The pair were appointed as joint-managers on Tuesday following Moran’s decision to step down due to ill health.