THE saga has ended. A vote of 88-47 in favour of Justin Mc Carthy and his management team has brought an end to the uncertaintly surrounding the management of Limerick hurling for 2010 at least.
At a specially convened County Board meeting, held in Claughaun on Tuesday night last, 133 delegates and board members voted on the future of Justin Mc Carthy, Liam Garvey, Brian Ryan and John Tuohy.
The return of 88 in favour is in fact an increase of 14 votes from the last vote of no confidence in the manager, held back in December. That vote was 74-54. In a secret ballot, 130 of the 133 votes were returned with 1 spoiled and two not returned.
The increase in support from the clubs comes, somewhat surprisingly for some, after four league defeats on the trot. The result can now be viewed as both support for Justin Mc Carthy and also a lack of support for the players who have withdrawn their services from the county panel. The views of some delegates in the hall on Tuesday night was that “player power” was to be ended and this was one way of starting that process.
Commenting after the vote, to the large assembled media, County Board Chairman, Liam Lenihan felt that the matter was now over. “This is the end of the matter now. The clubs of the county have spoken. Whatever decision was made the clubs said they would back it 100%. That is very encouraging. A line is drawn under it. To get the unanimous support of the clubs, that whatever decision was made, they would stick by it, that was very important”
“This is the end of the matter now. The clubs of the county have spoken. Whatever decision was made the clubs said they would back it 100%. That is very encouraging,” County Board Chairman Liam Lenihan
The fact now is that Justin Mc Carthy will remain in this position for the second of his two year contract. “We made a deal with Justin McCarthy. I shook hands with him. It was a two-year contract and we will review it at the end of two years. There are a few months down the road and we will review it again” added Liam Lenihan.
The county board delegates on the night admitted that damage had been done to Limerick hurling, but that everyone must now look forward to the future for the good of the game. Limerick face Ofaly this Sunday in Tullamore, while on Sunday week, they take on reigning All Ireland champions Kilkenny.
County Secretary Mike O Riordan is just happy it is all over now. “It has been a difficult time for the county board. Liam Lenihan has led them very well and we all need to move on now. The next home game against Kilkenny will be a huge affair. The limerick schools are all coming to the Gaelic Grounds on the day and it will be another great occasion there. As a board, we now can get back to the running of the GAA structures in the county”
At the time of going to press, (Wednesday), there was no returnees to the panel from those who had withdrawn. The rumblings on the ground are that none will return.
The only certainties at present in Limerick hurling are that Limerick are managed by Justin Mc Carthy and they are paying Offaly this Sunday in Tullamore at 2.30pm. The rest is still very much up in the air.
In other GAA news, Ard Scoil Ris will face St Kierans of Kilkenny in the All Ireland colleges final, Saturday week, the 3rd of April in Thurles at 2.30pm, while the Senior Footballers face Kilkenny this Saturday night at 7.30pm in the NFL.
