McCarthy says players 'hasty'

GAELIC GAMES:JUSTIN McCARTHY has spoken for the first time about his acrimonious departure as Waterford manager last month. In an interview with Des Cahill on RTÉ's Road to Croker, McCarthy intimated senior players were hasty in seeking his resignation after the comprehensive defeat to Clare on June 1st.

"It could have been sorted out," said McCarthy last night. "We had 30 players on the panel - 15 would be disappointed. On top of that you would have some key old players who might not get their place. They might not be on the team for Saturday either.

"A long weekend. Maybe a few hasty decisions. No one stood back. I would have loved to discuss it with the players but they said they didn't want to discuss it. I had no option but to resign. I asked the chairman but the players instructed him there would be no discussion so I had no chance of sorting it."

McCarthy was forced to step down midway through his seventh season in charge, an unprecedented period of success in modern Waterford hurling that yielded three Munster titles and a National League. The Cork native described his tenure as an "overachievement" for Waterford hurling. He went on to criticise the Waterford players' mentality when asked to compare it with that of a Cork hurler. "Big time. I mean in Cork we never played a game we thought we couldn't win. You have to try and impart that on players in Waterford who like to play a good game or maybe do okay. But for me, maybe it was too severe. Maybe I have a one-track mind, only trying to win all the time. I didn't want to come second. I wanted to be first. I tried to push that on players constantly. It doesn't always wear well. Some of the older players mightn't like it."

New manager Davy Fitzgerald has made two changes from the side that overran Antrim on July 5th for tomorrow's phase three qualifier against Offaly in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Séamus Prendergast comes in for Stephen Molumphy after recovering from a shoulder injury, while Jamie Nagle makes his first championship start at midfield in place of Dave Bennett after impressing with two points when coming off the bench the last day.

Fitzgerald is also persisting with the new defensive formation of Ken McGrath at full back and Tony Browne at centre back.

Meanwhile, Armagh manager Peter McDonnell has made two changes, which were largely expected, ahead of Sunday's Ulster football final against Fermanagh in Clones. Aaron Kernan regains his place at wing back, for Brendan Donaghy, while Brian Mallon is rewarded for his scoring contribution off the bench in the semi-final defeat of Derry. As then, Paddy McKeever makes way at centre forward.

Armagh are seeking a seventh title in 10 years in contrast to Fermanagh, who are the only Ulster county never to capture senior provincial honours.

Tyrone have made a number of changes from the side that lost the Ulster quarter-final replay to Down for tomorrow's qualifier trip to Louth. The most notable alterations sees the McGuigan brothers, Brian and Tommy, named in the half-forward line alongside captain Brian Dooher. Colm Cavanagh and Ryan Mellon make way - although the latter is switched to midfield, with Joe McMahon missing out.

Tommy McGuigan's inclusion is not a surprise as his introduction late on against Down helped the defending champions force the match to extra-time. His elder brother Brian is considered one of the best attacking talents in football but has been struggling with injuries these past two seasons.

The other notable change sees Conor Gormley back in his regular centre-back slot.