Limerick will keep faith in boss TJ Ryan
Ryan was handed a three-year term shortly after the narrow loss to Kilkenny in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final and despite their “disappointing” championship exit against Dublin on Saturday evening, Mann stressed there is “no managerial vacancy” to be filled.
The county board executive met last night to discuss the fallout from a forgettable weekend for the county where both the Limerick senior and minor hurling teams were defeated in Thurles.
“The clubs gave TJ a three-year term at the end of last year with a review after the first and second 12 months. That is what will take place now; a review,” said Mann.
“Saturday was a most disappointing night for all involved — the players, management and supporters.
“It has been a disappointing year, but we are a resilient bunch here in Limerick. We will turn our attentions to 2016 now and focus on getting back to where we were towards the end of 2014.”
Mann also revealed the Treaty County’s executive would not be appealing the result of Sunday’s Munster minor final.
Two minutes of additional time were signalled by the fourth official at the end of the second half, but referee Joe Larkin blew for full-time after one minute and 22 seconds.
Trailing by 0-20 to 0-17, Limerick were camped in the Tipperary square when the final whistle sounded and manager Leo O’Connor took issue with the amount of injury time played during his post-match assessment.
Continued Mann: “It was frustrating and disappointing what happened, but you have to allow for human error. We won’t be pursuing the matter, the team’s focus is now on their All-Ireland quarter-final against Galway.”
Limerick vice-chairman Liam O’Sullivan was disgusted by the controversial ending.
“Hard luck to our minors. We must be the guinea pigs for every incompetent balls-up in the GAA. From Hawkeye to a guy who can’t tell time,” he tweeted.
“As long as I’ve been going to Semple Stadium, I’ve never seen the scoreboard reset to 60.00 immediately at the end of a game. Convenient eh?”
Tweeted Limerick senior hurler Seánie Tobin: “Absolutely crazy decision by referee, 40 seconds to play and ball inside the 21-yard line. Absolutely inexcusable. How can this happen?”
Meanwhile, GAA chiefs have confirmed the details of the All-Ireland senior hurling championship quarter-finals on Sunday, July 26.
Semple Stadium will host the double header with Dublin and Waterford throwing in at 2pm while Cork and Galway will clash at 4pm.
Both games will be televised live on RTÉ Two.
