Limerick hurling dealt another severe blow

LIMERICK hurling was dealt another severe blow this afternoon with the news that four more players have walked away from Justin McCarthy's senior hurling panel.


It is understood that Tom Condon (Knockaderry), Gavin O'Mahony (Kilmallock), Dinny Moloney (Doon) and Stephen Walsh (Glenroe) all made contact with County Board chairman Liam Lenihan today (December 31, 2009) and officially withdrew from the senior hurling squad - it has also been reported that none of aforementioned players were pressurised into making this decision. It is understood that all four players have decided to withdraw their services because of a growing disillusionment with the senior hurling set-up.
Although club delegates voted in favour (70-54) of retaining the services of Justin McCarthy as manager at a County Board meeting on Thursday, December 17 and Patrickswell's John Tuohy was added to the senior hurling management team as a selector last week this latest development leaves the Cork man in a difficult position with Limerick's first competitive game of the 2010 season just 25 days away - on Sunday, January 24 Limerick will face the winners of the Cork/UCC clash in a Waterford Crystal Cup quarter-final.
On Wednesday, October 28 Justin McCarthy effectively dropped 12 players from his senior hurling panel while eight more, among them some of the most distinguished hurlers on Shannonside, walked away soon after in protest.
Now, with a further four players electing to withdraw their services, only six players remain at McCarthy's disposal from the 30 named for August's ill-fated All-Ireland semi-final clash with Tipperary in Croke Park: Paul Browne (Bruff), Paudie McNamara (Murroe-Boher), David Breen (Na Piarsaigh), Brian O'Sullivan (Kilmallock), Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock) and Dave Moloney (Blackrock).
The following 24 players are no longer available for selection (based on the 30 players named to face Tipperary in Croke Park): Brian Murray (withdrew), Damien Reale (withdrew), Stephen Lucey (dropped), Mark O'Riordan (dropped), Seamus Hickey (withdrew), Brian Geary (withdrew), Mark Foley (dropped), Donal O'Grady (withdrew), Gavin O'Mahony (withdrew), James Ryan (withdrew), Ollie Moran (retired), Andrew O'Shaughnessy (dropped), David Bulfin (retired), Damien Cosgrave (dropped), Tom Condon (withdrew), Denis Moloney (withdrew), Niall Moran (dropped), Stephen Walsh (withdrew), James O'Brien (withdrew), Wayne McNamara (withdrew), Donncha Sheehan (dropped), Donie Ryan (dropped), Mike O'Brien (dropped) and Eoin Foley (dropped).

Brian McDonnell