Former manager blasts Limerick county board

Former Limerick manager Tom Ryan has launched a blistering attack on the county board, laying the blame for the current hurling crisis on Shannonside firmly at their door.

He accused the county board of "political skullduggery" and of hounding manager Padjoe Whelahan in the current impasse.

Ryan managed Limerick for four years in the 1990s, leading them to Munster championship honours in 1994 and 1996, when they were also losing All-Ireland finalists, and to the National League title in 1997. He was replaced by Eamon Cregan.

Ryan said: "The only thing that has remained constant is the crew running the county board. It's a shambles, it's been going downhill for a long time ... but the biggest culprit is the county board."

Limerick were on the end of a 13-point trouncing by All-Ireland champions Cork on the opening day of the league, and went down to Tipperary by six points last weekend.