'Limerick 24' hit out at County Board and management

The 24 members of the 2009 Limerick senior hurling panel, who are refusing to play under current manager Justin McCarthy, have issued a statement in which they accuse the Limerick County Board and the senior management team of using underhand tactics in an attempt to end the ongoing impasse.

They allege that these sources are putting "huge pressure" on certain players, particularly those of a young age, in an attempt to get them "to change their minds" and play under McCarthy this season.

Last week Bruree clubman James O'Brien was the first of the estranged players to return to training with the current Limerick panel.

Most of the 2009 players withdrew their services in October after McCarthy decided to drop 12 members of last year's squad.

Sixteen of the estranged players met over the weekend in Knocklong to take part in a training session handled by Derry O'Donovan, the former Limerick trainer during Eamonn Cregan's managerial reign.

The players' statement reads: "There has been a deliberate and concerted effort by members of the Limerick County Board, the senior management and the backroom team to influence the thinking of club delegates and the wider Limerick public.

"There has also been a deliberate and concerted effort to influence the younger players who have pulled out of the 2010 panel, with huge pressure being put on, using one player against another in trying to persuade them to change their minds.

"We will not play under the current management despite rumours, stories and spins to the contrary - most of them coming from the County Board and the current management team.

"There will be no more players returning to training. It is now up to the club delegates to address the matter with the County Board executive tomorrow night. The future of Limerick hurling is in their hands."

The Limerick County Board is convening a meeting for club delegates in Claughaun tomorrow night, at which the hurling row is set to overshadow regular business.

McCarthy's young and inexperienced Limerick side lost their opening two National League games to Galway and Cork and face a crunch clash with Waterford in Dungarvan this coming Sunday (throw-in 2.30pm).