Exiles hit by transfers

The preparations of London senior hurling manager Brendan Bolger ahead of his side's Ulster championship opener against Antrim on Sunday week have been hit by the news that seven players have transferred out of the county.

London hurling hit the news for the right reasons earlier this year when Robert Emmets won the All-Ireland Intermediate title at Croke Park but seven players from that side have now opted to transfer back to their home clubs in Ireland.

John Dillon, John Quinlan, Eddie Carey, Killian O'Murchu, Brian Foley, Tadhg O'Callaghan and Luke Maddix were all part of that history-making side but the bulk of whom have now decided to return to their homeland.

Quinlan was impressive for London as top-scorer in their National League campaign, while Foley has been an integral part of the side for a number of years.

The deadline for the players to register their inter-county allegiance with London was March 31 so none of the Emmets players who have left the county champions will be available to London boss Bolger as the Exiles look to record a famous victory over Antrim.

Of the seven players who have transferred, it is likely that six of them would have been in the starting team against Antrim forcing the London management team to reconsider their entire strategy for the up-coming championship season.

The Exiles would have fancied their chances against Antrim had all of their players been available, but the latest exodus will significantly weaken their chances in both the championship and the Christy Ring Cup competition.