Déise players in plea for Carew to stay
In a letter sent to the relevant parties by Tony Grey on behalf of the players, the “serious effects” of making a change in management at this juncture of the squad’s development, when there has been “significant progress” is emphasised. While acknowledging that there were “some stumbling blocks in the process” – which involve the lack of funding available to the football teams in the county – hope was expressed that these could be overcome.
“I am writing on behalf of the 2014 squad of players and requesting that this resignation is not accepted by the county board until the players have been afforded an opportunity to meet as a group and to sit with both Niall and the county board to discuss the issue” the letter began.
“We understand that there is some stumbling blocks in the process, but believe that these can be overcome and would welcome this opportunity.
“This decision is a huge one and one that will have serious effects on Waterford football and the significant progress that the senior team has made over the past two years under Niall and his management team.”
Earlier this week, Carew announced that he would not be seeking an extension to his two-year term in light of the fact that board officials had indicated they would not be in a position to support improved commitment to the footballers’ preparations next year.
Carew claimed that Waterford were “swimming against the tide” because of the fact that minor and U21 teams were not getting equal resources to their hurling brethren, and that this made it more difficult to make the jump to senior level.
He also claimed he had been told by officers of the county’s fundraising committee Club Déise that no money would be made available to the footballers. While Waterford failed to win a championship game during Carew’s tenure, players have constantly spoken about the stark improvement in professional preparationrequired to play at the top level.
Last year, they failed by only a point to beat Galway in an All-Ireland qualifier in Salthill, while this season, they drew with a Clare team that lost narrowly to Kerry and Kildare. They subsequently lost the replay before suffering a disappointing loss to Carlow.
