Keane not leaving but position to be reviewed

The Limerick County Board last night dismissed rumours that senior hurling team manager Dave Keane was set to depart from the post. However, they will be discussing his future at their next meeting, on Tuesday, September 9th.

Chairman Pat Fitzgerald confirmed he did meet with Keane and the management team last night.

"There will be a discussion about his position when we meet in September. We didn't have a great year so we will need to review the situation," said Limerick PRO Denis O'Carroll.

There were some forthright comments from county delegates at Tuesday's County Board meeting, with claims of lack of discipline and internal rows within the panel.

However, several delegates rushed to the defence of the management team. In particular, liaison officer John Landers warned that nothing would be achieved by change.

"The senior fellas were under pressure to fit in with the newcomers who had three All-Ireland under-21 medals in their pockets," said Landers, who also cited a lack of passion in the jersey.

Keane's contract runs until October 2004.

A year ago he was considered a hero in the county after managing the under-21 team to their third consecutive All-Ireland title. However, failure to transfer this level of a success to the senior set-up has left Keane in a perilous position.

Meanwhile, Dublin captain Ciarán Whelan has ruled himself out of consideration for the International Rules series for the second successive year.

Whelan informed manager John O'Keeffe of his decision not to take part in the Ireland party's trip to Australia in October, in order to focus on his club duties with Raheny in the Dublin championship, after a disappointing inter-county campaign.

Last year he pulled out because he had just got married. Whelan last represented Ireland two years ago in the successful campaign in Australia.

The GAA has announced that tickets for both of this weekend's All-Ireland hurling semi-finals are on sale today from 11.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. from the ticket office at the rear of the Cusack Stand in Croke Park.

The remaining tickets for Saturday's replay between Cork and Wexford will also be on sale today, but only until 2.30 p.m., for safety and logistical reasons.