ACCUSATIONS OF “communication failures” and other “misconceptions” against Limerick hurling manager Justin McCarthy, as outlined in a detailed statement issued by the currently exiled senior players, yesterday made it patently clear that there would be no way back for any of them unless McCarthy stepped down from the position, voluntary or otherwise.

The statement, signed by the 24 most senior panellists – who were either unceremoniously dropped by McCarthy, or else opted out by their own accord – was as hard-hitting as it was comprehensive. In it, they either denied or refuted several of the claims made by McCarthy in recent weeks, and also outlined what they believe are the underlying reasons behind the crisis.

The players claim they had maintained “a dignified silence on this recent controversy” up until this point as they felt “the procedures relating to the appointment and subsequent vote of confidence in Justin McCarthy must be respected”. They also said they avoided the need to convene and make a “group statement” up to now as they “did not want to compromise in any way the best interests of Limerick hurling, and each individual concerned” – but that now the public were “entitled to get clarity on a number of issues”.

While accepting McCarthy and his selectors “are perfectly entitled to select the 30 or so players they chose for the 2010 Limerick Senior hurling panel”, it was the inference that McCarthy made in a newspaper interview that a number of players “were dropped due to a lack of discipline and commitment” which sparked an extremely negative response from the majority of the 2009 panel.

The players claim that at no time over the course of approximately 100 training sessions or gatherings did McCarthy make any reference to a “lack of discipline or commitment”.

The players then claim the reports that “a small group of players are behind this” is the most “damning of all accusations made” – adding that the decision not to play under McCarthy has, at all times, been left up the individual, “as no player should stand in the way of the career of another player”.

Other points made by the players in the statement go directly against comments by McCarthy, and instead claim:

1) That “Justin McCarthy remarked ‘It’s not about communication. I think that was a good excuse, initially, but I think as far back as last August some of the players were trying to get rid of us, and didn’t want us on board, because they had their own agenda, really and truly.’ His failure, even still, to extend common courtesy to the dropped players by informing them (either by phone or letter) that they would not be required for the forthcoming season was only one of a series of communication failures on his part over the course of the year.

“Players and management were at odds at many points throughout the year. This came to a head before the qualifier game against Wexford in July of last year when players took the unprecedented step of organising our own game plan in the absence of any acceptance from management that our performances to that point were sub standard”.

2) That “this situation has been poorly handled by the County Board on a number of fronts. At several points over the course of the 2009 season, they were made aware by players that preparations were not up to the required standards and that team morale was quite poor. They did not feel the need to discuss this at the delegates’ meeting immediately after the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Tipperary, preferring to make reference to Justin McCarthy’s continuation of his two-year tenure as Limerick senior hurling manager.

“These concerns were never relayed to club delegates who were entitled to be made aware of this in the best interests of Limerick GAA. Also, we feel the county board should have insisted that either players representatives be asked to attend the Ballyagran meeting, or else all club delegates (not just those of the players) attend the subsequent meeting in Claughaun, in the interests of fairness and impartiality”.

3) That “another delegate made reference to ‘Player Power’ being at the core of the current impasse. We strongly refute this claim and wish to state that we respect the decision of the delegates and have no desire to become involved in GAA boardroom politics”.

4) That “many players received intimidating phone calls from members of the management and backroom staff putting them under pressure to join the 2010 Limerick senior hurling panel. Meetings took place with individual players in a bid to resolve this matter. We appreciate the efforts made by John Tuohy to discuss the situation in an open-minded manner”.

In closing, the players “reiterate that we will not play any active part in the 2010 Limerick senior hurling panel while the present management is in place”.

The statement was signed by: David Bulfin, Tom Condon, Damien Cosgrave, Eoin Foley, Mark Foley, Brian Geary, Seamus Hickey, Stephen Lucey, Wayne McNamara, Denis Moloney, Niall Moran, Ollie Moran, Brian Murray, James O’Brien, Mike O’Brien, Donal O’Grady, Gavin O’Mahoney, Mark O’Riordan, Andrew O’Shaughnessy, Damien Reale, Donie Ryan, James Ryan, Donncha Sheehan, Stephen Walsh.

Board meeting

THE LIMERICK County Board met last night but to the surprise of many no reference was made to the ongoing issues involving members of last year's county senior hurling panel and Justin McCarthy.

The nomination of John Tuohy as an additional selector to McCarthy was passed unanimously.