McCarthy: 'I will never be bought'
EMBATTLED Limerick hurling manager Justin McCarthy has this week quashed rumours that financial rewards are his motivation for remaining in charge.
Speaking ahead of this Saturday's qualifier against Offaly Justin McCarthy said that it is his wish to guide Limerick into a "new era".
"I will never be bought. Nobody will ever buy Justin McCarthy and money would never come into it," Justin McCarthy told RTE Radio's Morning Ireland this Wednesday.
"There is no way that is happening. I can guarantee you and tell you straight out, down the middle," he said when questioned about financial rewards.
"I do it with a heart and a half because I am a hurling person and I have a love for Limerick, I've connections in Limerick and because I'm a hurling man and I feel there's something can be done and that's my way forward and my thinking," he said of his turbulent stay in Limerick.
If Limerick lose to Offaly on Saturday Justin McCarthy's two-year term would be up, but Limerick GAA chairman Liam Lenihan has already stated that there will then a review process when the championship is complete. However, it appears that Justin McCarthy is ready for another term in Limerick.
"I gave a commitment to the County Board who interviewed me for the job that I would stay for two years. I'm not one to walk away from things when I see something that can be done and if I can do it with the energy and enthusiasm and the experience that I have. I was always going to play my part in order to put Limerick hurling in a new sort of an era coming through to have new thinking and new ideas. So, I wasn't going to walk away from that. I am a hurling man through and through. My track record in hurling and my interest and love of hurling is absolutely endless," said the Cork man.
Were McCarthy to remain into 2010, he insists that the door is open for players to return.
"The door is always open. The door isn't shut on anybody, but people have to realise that there are rules and regulations in any organisation or team or management - that people just can't go and do what they want and pick and choose where they like.
"You must have somebody in charge and I was given that job and there has to be respect on both sides, but certainly management have to be respected and that's what I would expect and that's what we are getting from the new group of players," said McCarthy.
"Somebody has to be in charge and if it's me, certainly that would be it and other people would have to fall in line for a common cause with one frame of mind to build for the future and if it's Limerick thats the way it's going to be."
Justin McCarthy has a number of injury concerns ahead of Saturday's game. They are already faced with making two changes from the side that lost to Cork in the Munster championship due to the emigration of Paudie McNamara and suspension of Sean Herlihy. Added to the absence of the two wing-forwards is a growing list of injuries.
Limerick played two challenge games in the past week, against the county under-21 side and Clare, and a number of key players were marked absent. Among those facing a race against time to prove their fitness are full-back David Breen, wing-back Sean O'Riordan and full-forward Anthony Owens. Des Kenny and David Lynch, who were regulars in the full-back line during the league are also carrying injuries and rated as doubtful. Under-21 players James O'Brien and Nicky Quaid could be handed their first championship starts.
"It's a huge game there is no doubt about that. It's winner take all, if we don't win we are out and if we win we go on to the next step. We realise what is involved and we are very conscious of it and we have to be very positive about the whole thing," Justin McCarthy said.
"It's a huge challenge against a team that is after having two very good games against Galway and are in form, but I think we have made progress and I'm happy that we are going in with the right frame of mind."
Limerick will have to travel to Tullamore for Saturday's tie which will take place at 7pm - the game won't be shown live on TV.
O'Connor Park in Tullamore will host a double-header, with the Offaly footballers taking on Waterford at 5pm. If Limerick progress past Offaly they would be back in action the following weekend against either Tipperary or Antrim.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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