THE LIMERICK hurling crisis is almost certain to top the agenda at this evening’s county board meeting in Claughaun, particularly after manager Justin McCarthy dug his heels in last week, insisting he had no intention of resigning, despite the exodus of his most senior players.

Postponed from last week due to the inclement weather, the meeting will first deal with the election of a new development officer to the board executive, with Liam O’Sullivan (Claughaun) and Gerry Philips (Monagea) set to contest the position.

However, the McCarthy issue is the one that won’t go away, following the strong comments from the Cork native last week that he “was given a two-year term, and as it is I’m in my second year” and “while the county board are there backing me, and the delegates, and I’ve a squad of players, I’ll keep going”.

Limerick played their first game of the new season under McCarthy last Saturday, drawing in a challenge against Wexford, but as things stand, McCarthy has only six players from last year’s panel of 30 – most of those opting out being the most experienced.

Last month, the county board once again backed McCarthy, giving him a 70-54 seal of approval at a specially convened meeting also in Claughaun – but there is now speculation that a motion of no confidence in the county board could actually be tabled at this evening’s meeting, and if so the pressure on McCarthy to resign might prove to be unbearable.