O'Mahony: O'Grady will be hard to replace

Limerick captain Gavin O'Mahony believes that Donal O'Grady should have been persuaded to stay on with as the Shannonsiders' senior hurling manager.

O'Grady left the role after just 12 months at the helm and O'Mahony is admittedly 'hugely disappointed' that the Cork native is no longer in charge.

"Donal is unique in his coaching styles and he is so effective. He was so successful and it is hard to go on and replace a manager like that," he said.

"What he did for us in 12 months, we learned so much from him going right down to the basic rules, the set-up and the backroom team.

"It was all very professional. We would have been hoping that we could have kept going and kept learning.

"I suppose the next man that comes in will continue that on and we will try to continue to progress it next year."

O'Grady initially flagged after his appointment that it was his intention to spend just one year managing the Limerick side.

However, with strong progress being made which included title success in Allianz League Division 2, it was expected that he might reconsider.

O'Mahony says that collectively as a squad there is a major disappointment that O'Grady is not still involved.

"Ideally we would have wanted him for another year. At the same time what he has done for us in 12 months you would be very positive about it. I would definitely rather have had him for 12 months, than not at all."

The Kilmallock man insists that all stakeholders in Limerick hurling need to put their differences aside and back O'Grady's successor.

"That is hugely important. Donal would have pointed out that he did have the support from everyone, from the players right through to the County Board," he added.

"I suppose it was one of the reasons for our progression last year. It is vital that whoever comes in gets that same support and that we do our business properly.

"In previous years it hasn't been done than way and as a result last year there was a huge improvement. If there is real ambition and real goals that's the way we will have to go."

O'Mahony will head to Ethiopia in January as a part of a group of volunteers for the GAA charity of the year, 'Playing for Life', something which he is really looking forward to.

"It is exciting to get the chance to go and do something which could potentially change your life.

"I always wanted to do something like this but in the last couple of years I was busy at home. When you get an opportunity like this, you jump at it - when you are in a position to try and help people."

With the restructuring of the Allianz League, the skilful defender says it is incredibly disappointing that Limerick hurlers will not get a chance to play in Division 1 next year. But he feels the situation will be revisited.

"We were looking forward to meeting the bigger teams and trying to progress and gauging where we are at, but I suppose that opportunity is taken from us now.

"I think when they review it, the decision might be turned back. They might just put it back for 12 months and at least people know then that where they finish next year in the league will be their position the following year."