Bennis slams uncommitted players

Limerick hurling manager Richie Bennis has hit out strongly at a group of players whom he says "broke their hearts in training and then went drinking".

Bennis' comments come in the wake of last Saturday's All-Ireland SHC qualifier defeat to Offaly, in which last year's beaten All-Ireland finalists succumbed to the midlanders by ten points.

"I accept the blame and hold my hands up, but I think some players left me down," he told this morning's county edition of the Limerick Leader.

Despite these negatives, Bennis was also keen to stress that the players were fully committed to training, but 'let themselves down' by socialising afterwards.

"To me, it appears this year at least six or eight players treated it as a social event, coming to training on Tuesday and Thursday nights - they broke their hearts in training and then they went drinking.

"I heard the rumours and it is quite possible a few of the players were drinking and they played accordingly. I put my hands up and maybe I should have seen that."

Bennis was seen to have turned the corner in Limerick hurling, after he guided his players to their first All-Ireland final since 1996 last year.

That success followed a spate of previous managers, with an attrition rate of about one a year.

The charismatic figure was appointed on an interim basis after Joe McKenna vacated the position following Limerick's heavy defeat to neighbours Clare at Cusack Park in the summer of 2006.

Bennis added: "I am annoyed with the performance, but we didn't go out to perform like that. It does disappoint me - I showed faith in them and it was not returned. It's hurting me big-time."

However, Bennis stated immediately after Saturday's loss, than although his term as Limerick manager had come to an end, he was keen to sit down for talks with Shannonside officials with an interest in continuing in the role.

"I am not going to pull out. I am happy to stay with the set-up. I will help Limerick any way I can," a dejected Bennis said after the game.

"That is what I am there for. If they can get a better man, well and good.

"I have no problem with that either. I am on no term. I am here for as long as the County Board want me."

The future of Bennis as Limerick manager and his selectors Gary Kirby, Bernie Hartigan, Tony Hickey and Anthony O'Riordan will be discussed at the next meeting of the Limerick County Board on August 12.