GAA:Former Limerick hurling managers Richie Bennis and Tom Ryan have expressed their disappointment at the current crisis in the county and claimed present incumbent Justin McCarthy must shoulder much of the blame.
McCarthy survived a vote of confidence last week but remains under pressure on Shannonside with a number of players walking away from the panel.
The crisis dates back to October when McCarthy opted to dispense with 12 players from his 2009 squad. Eight others walked away in protest and the county’s big name stars have vowed not to hurl again for Limerick while McCarthy is in charge.
“Their (players) gripe with Justin is that he picked two trial teams and never notified the players that he was resting them or whatever,” Bennis said.
“If I was a player, I’d read into that that I was dropped but the situation was governed by rule because the 2009 panel couldn’t train in November or December so he was covered.
“All he had to say was that he was trying new players and I wouldn’t be in disagreement with that.
“But any player that I ever dropped off a panel or team, I rang him before we announced it. That’s the real problem.”
Ryan was even more critical of McCarthy, saying the former Waterford boss is doing 'immense damage' to hurling in the county.
'The county board are in dread of their life to move him and McCarthy won't move,” Ryan said. “Why won't he go? He's doing immense damage to Limerick hurling.'