Speculation was mounting in Limerick yesterday that Eamon Cregan might make a quick return to the position of county hurling manager. A meeting of the Limerick County Board's executive committee was meeting late last night with the issue of Cregan's resignation earlier this week and the subsequent appointment of selector Mossie Carroll to fill the vacancy dominating the agenda, writes Pat Roche.
Much of the speculation arose from the groundswell of support from the Limerick hurling public for Cregan, with suggestions that supporters are threatening to withdraw from the county board's regular fundraising draw and their fundraising efforts for the Gaelic Grounds redevelopment.
While Cregan was unavailable for comment last night, a close associate said there was a "50-50" chance of Cregan returning.
Earlier yesterday, it emerged that after a meeting of players on Wednesday night, an appeal went out to the county board to reinstate Cregan. It is also known that a number of players travelled to Newcastlewest - where Cregan is employed as manager-secretary of the local golf club - to ask him to reconsider his position.
However, Denis O'Carroll, PRO for the county board, said earlier yesterday that it was time to put the Cregan affair behind them and get behind Carroll.
Meanwhile, Cavan manager Mattie Kerrigan was furious yesterday following the refusal by the Ulster Council to postpone an under-21 football championship match fixed for tomorrow.
Kerrigan could get no change from the council, despite the fact that six players, due to play against Armagh at Breffni Park are required by Cavan for their vital National Football League tie against Sligo on the Sunday.
Colm Hannon, Eamonn Reilly (Cavan Gaels), Mick Brides and Gerald Pierson would all be automatic choices for the senior team - yet to be named - to face Sligo. In addition, Darryl McConnell and Eamonn Reilly (Shannon Gaels) would be crucial back-up players on the subs bench for Sunday. All six are involved with the under-21s.
Other Ulster counties such as Donegal and Armagh are similarly affected as a result of tomorrow's under-21 programme, but an Ulster Council spokesman insisted that the underage games have to go ahead as there are no suitable alternative dates available.
Armagh show seven changes following last weekend's defeat by Kerry for their match against London at Ruislip. Goalkeeper Paul Hearty returns from injury and Cathal O'Rourke and Phil Loughran come into the attack.
For Kildare, goalkeeper Christy Byrne replaces Enda Murphy to play his first game of the season in the Division One B tie at Newbridge. Martin Lynch moves to full forward instead of Brian Murphy, ruled out because of a back injury, and the vacancy created at right half forward will be filled by Eddie McCormack, who makes his first start of the League.
Limerick's Stephen Lucey, unwittingly brought into the controversy which led to the resignation of Eamon Cregan, is named at centre back on the football team to play Wicklow.
LIMERICK (SF v Wicklow): S O'Donnell, M O'Riordan, D Sheehy, S Lavin, C Mullane, S Lucey, D Reidy, J Quane, J Galvin, J Meskell, T Carroll, P Ahern, M Reidy, J Stokes, C Hickey.
ARMAGH (SF v London): P Hearty; K McElvanna G Reid S Maxwell; A O'Rourke F Bellew A McCann P McGrane J Toal; D Marsden C O'Rourke P McKeever; S McDonnell P Loughran K McGeeney.
KILDARE (SF v Clare) - C Byrne; J Wiltshire, P Mullarkey, K Doyle; T Harris, D Hendy, A Rainbow; K Brennan, R Sweeney; E McCormack, K O'Dwyer, J Doyle; T Fennin, M Lynch, S McKenzie-Smith.
TYRONE: P Ward; C Gormley, C Lawn, B Robinson; R McMenamin, C Gourley, D McCrossan; C McAnallen, C Holmes; B Dooher, S O'Neill, G Cavlan; B McGuigan, K Hughes, P Canavan.
