Further withdrawals hinder hurlers’ progress

JUSTIN McCarthy will continue his rebuilding process this week as he attempts to select Limerick’s new-look senior hurling panel.


McCarthy and his selectors, Brian Ryan, Liam Garvey and new-comer John Tuoh, were dealt a fresh blow on New Year’s Eve when a further four players withdrew from the panel - Gavin O’Mahony, Tom Condon, Denis Moloney and Stephen Walsh.
The management team are now left with just six members of the 2009 panel - Paul Browne (Bruff), Paudie McNamara (Murroe-Boher), David Breen (Na Piarsaigh), Bryan O’Sullivan (Kilmallock), Graeme Mulcahy (Kilmallock) and Dave Moloney (Blackrock).
It is understood that a trial game was to take place over the weekend, but was postponed because of a bereavement. As a result members of the new-look panel will meet up for the first time in the coming days.
Limerick’s first competitive game of 2010 is on January 24 when they face either Cork or UCC in the quarter-final of the Waterford Crystal Cup.
As well as the 12 players that have withdrawn, management face further problems selecting a panel for this game as they will not be able to select players currently attending third level college and both county champions South Liberties and Blackrock will be in action in their respective All-Ireland club semi-finals.
While the Waterford Crystal Cup game is less than three weeks away Limerick do not open their league campaign until February 21.
In round one of the NHL Limerick entertain Galway and then six days later Cork are visitors to the Gaelic Grounds when the first inter-county hurling fixture takes place under the floodlights.
Over the festive period and pror to the latest withdrawals a trio of former Limerick hurling managers (Eamonn Cregan, Richie Bennis and Tom Ryan) were quoted in the media calling for Justin McCarthy to step down for the ‘good of Limerick hurling’.
There can be no doubting that the new-look hurling panel will face an uphill battle to record victories, but McCarthy and his selectors do have the backing of the executive officers of the County Board and the clubs of the county - the week prior to Christmas club delegates voted in favour (70-54) of retaining the services of McCarthy as manager for a second season. The vote meant that Limerick will go forward into the new season without household names such as Brian Geary, Seamus Hickey, Damien Reale, Brian Murray and Donal O’Grady who are all among the 12 players that are wanted by management, but have now made themselves unavailable.
Elsewhere the Limerick senior footballers will open their 2010 campaign tomorrow night in the Gaelic Grounds.
Mickey Ned O’Sullivan’s side were set to play Waterford IT in round one of the McGrath Cup on Sunday, but due to weather conditions the game was deferred to this Tuesday night at 7.30pm. If Limerick are victorious they will be back in action next Sunday with Cork IT awaiting in the quarter-finals of the early season competition.
Ballysteen’s Conor Ranahan is selected to make his first appearance for the county senior side. With the long-serving Sean Kiely retired, Ranahan has been named in goals with Mungret’s Barry Moran among the subs.
Another making his first start is St Patrick’s John Mullane. Mullane was introduced as a sub against Meath last Summer in the All-Ireland qualifiers, but tomorrow night will be his first competitive start for the seniors.
Limerick v WIT: Conor Ranahan (Ballysteen); Johnny McCarthy (St Kieran’s), Conor Mullane (St Senan’s), Andrew Lane (St Senan’s); Lorcan O’Dwyer (Pallasgreen), Shane Gallagher (Ballysteen), Diarmuid Carroll (Arles Kilcruise, Laois); John Galvin (Croom), Eoin Joy (Fr. Casey’s); Stephen Kelly (Newcastle West), James Ryan (Galbally), Seanie Buckley, capt (Drom-Broadford); John Mullane (St. Patrick’s), Ian Ryan (St. Senan’s), Kieran O’Callaghan (Ballylanders).

Jerome O'Connell