Bennis goes full-time with Limerick

Former All-Ireland winning midfielder Richie Bennis has been appointed as Limerick senior hurling manager, taking on a two-year term.

Bennis, who was part of the last Limerick team to bring the Liam McCarthy Cup back to Shannonside in 1973, was in caretaker control of Limerick for most of the summer.

He stepped in when Joe McKenna resigned after the disappointing 17-point defeat to Clare in the All-Ireland qualifiers on June 18.

Bennis steadied the ship, guiding the Shannonsiders through to the All-Ireland quarter-finals where they showed plenty of heart in losing by 0-19 to 0-18 to then champions Cork.

His appointment at a County Board meeting last night saw Gary Kirby, another former player, confirmed as coach and selector to the senior team, while Bernie Hartigan, Anthony O'Riordan and Tony Hickey will act as selectors to Bennis.

Hartigan played at full-back in Limerick's '73 final winning side. Dave Moriarty, who had a stint with the county's footballers, will be the hurlers' new trainer for the 2007 season.

Seven men put their names forward to succeed McKenna on a full-time basis, with County Board chairman Denis Holmes confirming that two of the candidates had withdrawn their names, while another did not turn up for interview and instead sent in his CV.

Meanwhile, Kerryman Mickey 'Ned' O'Sullivan is to remain as manager of Limerick's senior footballers - he was handed another two years at the helm last night.

O'Sullivan, the captain of Kerry's 1975 All-Ireland-winning team, was appointed last December and is to have the benefit of Cian O'Neill's expertise as a coach and selector next season.