New-look Limerick make their competitive debut when they face UCC in the quarter-final of the Waterford Crystal Cup in Kilmallock at 2pm.
Justin McCarthy’s inexperienced side will take to the field at the end of a remarkable week when a 1,700-word statement from the 24 departed members of the 2009 panel did not elicit a single comment from an attendance of close on 300 club delegates at a GAA meeting in Claughaun.
Neither Justin McCarthy nor the Limerick County Board officers have responded to criticisms raised in the players’ statement.
When contacted by Leader Sport Justin McCarthy said that he did not wish to comment on the matter.
Meanwhile, speaking after this Tuesday night’s County Board meeting, Limerick GAA chairman Liam Lenihan addressed the issue: “I have no intention of commenting on the players’ statement - they were entitled to express their views.
“I am not going to get involved in a tit-for-tat with the players”.
The chairman also reiterated the fact that the “door is still open” for a return of any of the 12 withdrawn hurlers to the 2010 panel.
“I appreciate where they are coming from and I would love to see them back, but I can’t force them back.
“If we could get all of our players back that would be great.
“The door is always open - I am an eternal optimistic and we will live in hope,” said the chairman.
However, the chairman’s hope that a select number of players will re-join Justin McCarthy’s squad appears very slim. The final line of the player’s statement, released to the media on Monday night, reiterated their stance that they “will not play any active part in the 2010 Limerick senior hurling panel while the present management is in place”.
While Justin McCarthy appears to enjoy the full support of the County Board and with 24 members of the 2009 panel refusing to budge there appears to be no turning back from the current impasse.
We hope, for the sake of Limerick, the County Board and the clubs have made the right decision.
Jerome O’Connell
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