Limerick moving on without Donal O’Grady

The Limerick county board have responded to the resignation of co-hurling manager Donal O’Grady, claiming that “an agreed statement clarifying matters arising from the April county board meeting” had been drafted, but that O’Grady himself was reluctant to engage further on the matter.

O’Grady resigned on Sunday night, after a clearly awkward sequence of events, and indeed statements, following that April meeting of the Limerick county board. This included comments attributed to county board secretary Mike O’Riordan, which claimed both O’Grady and co-manager TJ Ryan “basically apologised for the performance against Offaly” in a recent league game, those same comments then widely reported to be have been aired at a subsequent county board meeting.

The management committee of Limerick county board then convened last night, and in a statement issued this afternoon, quoted Limerick county chairman, Oliver Mann, who claimed movements had been made for those controversial statements to be clarified.

“The chairman expressed his disappointment at the decision, particularly so when efforts were ongoing to finalise an agreed statement clarifying matters arising from the April county board meeting.

“The chairman confirmed that the draft statement had included a statement confirming that the joint managers had never apologised for the performance against Offaly; however they had accepted full accountability and taken full responsibility for failing to achieve league promotion.”

The statement then added: “Unfortunately Donal O’Grady was reluctant to agree the statement or engage with a third party intermediary to finalise an agreed statement. In the end he chose to resign his position and informed the chairman by voicemail before 10pm on Sunday night last.”

As a result, the Limerick management committee "decided unanimously to confirm TJ Ryan as manager with selectors Mark Lyons and Paul Beery until the conclusion of this year's championship" although they would be looking to appoint a coach to take over the role that O'Grady had held.

“It was also agreed that the chairman, secretary and treasurer in consultation with the team management would identify and appoint a hurling coach as a priority. County management confirmed their full confidence in the management and team and reaffirmed that every support required to prepare for the Munster championship will be made available to the management and team.”