Former All Star Clarke joins Limerick management team

Limerick chairman Oliver Mann last night called for unity as Dave Clarke was ratified as senior hurling selector at a monthly meeting that passed off with little or no incident.

The gathering in Rathkeale was the county’s first since Donal O’Grady stepped down as co-manager and his colleague TJ Ryan, who is in charge of the team for the remainder of the season, publicly questioned the executive’s criticism of their league campaign.

However, no debate was entertained by the top table as Mann declared that “going back over events would not serve Limerick well”.

It is understood strong canvassing of clubs by members of the executive in the last couple of weeks ensured the evening passed off smoothly.

After captain Donal O’Grady’s rallying call to focus on the June 1 Munster semi-final against Tipperary in Thurles, there was a determination by officials to avoid detracting from the panel’s preparations.

However, should Limerick’s Championship campaign go awry it will be an onerous task to appease club delegates.

Limerick returned to training after club championship action on Tuesday night where they met Clarke for the first time as a group. Clarke, a 1994 All Star, has a coaching background having worked with the county’s U21s in 2003.

It is believed a number of others such as Jerry Wallace, who coaches the minor team, and prominent club figures turned down the opportunity to join the management team prior to Clarke. Existing selector Paul Beary is still expected to coach the players for the Championship.

A behind closed doors challenge game against Dublin has been pencilled in for this weekend with an open night scheduled for UL this Friday.

Meanwhile, Jerry O’Sullivan was appointed minor football manager for next season. He had been in charge since last year and lost to Cork and Clare in this year’s campaign.