Limerick players, management and GAA officials to meet after vote 'kick in the arse'

LIMERICK football manager Jimmy Lee has been left frustrated by the County Board's decision to vote in favour of seeding the Munster senior football championship draw.Munster GAA have confirmed that the highest two ranking teams in the Allianz Football League are to be placed on opposite sides of the semi-final draw for the following year's Munster Senior Football Championship - Cork and Kerry fill the positions at present.

“It's a kick in the arse for what we achieved this year, the lads were in the Tailteann Cup final. Now they're after saying we are not good enough to be seeded, that's the feeling that's the sense,” said Jimmy Lee.

The Limerick management and players are due to meet with the County Board next week.

“The management and the players will come with a joint thought process, we were very much on the same page in relation to the seeding, we want to get to the same page in terms of what we want out of this.

“I'd be hoping that the County Board might come to the party and say we all need to get on the same page. None of us need this going on, it's for a meeting room but we could of done without this. During the off-season you are always trying to attract players into the Limerick football panel. We've did work in the media selling Limerick football and sure I might as well not have done it with what's after happening.”

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Limerick County Board declined the opportunity to speak when they were contacted by Leader Sport. It is understood that the Gaelic Players Association have been in contact with the Limerick players this week.

“There is a lot of questions to answer, a lot has happened since Friday. I reached out to the County Board to seek a meeting with them which they have responded too. They would hold it sooner only that the football board chairperson is away. From my side of the house there is questions to be answered, the players have questions that they want answered as well. It just feels that we are on two different pathways at the moment,” said Lee.

The Newcastle West native believes that all the clubs around Limerick weren't contacted regarding this decision.

“From my point of view, the clubs weren't consulted either or so I believe when I say that, I have spoken to a number of clubs, they weren't contacted in relation to it which to me is wrong as well. I mean they are the grassroots, they're the people who volunteer so I just think it is fundamentally wrong the way it was handled.”

Lee finds it difficult to understand why Munster GAA have made this decision to restructure.

“I don't understand where the Munster Council are going with it either. Since 2017, the numbers have dwindled (with attendances). The primary spot is hurling in the four counties that are affected by this decision. That's fine, I'm not being critical of that, but they're on about attendances at games, there is a lot of cost on supporters they have to pick and choose what to go too,” added Lee.

“You look at the hurling championship in Munster it's the All-Ireland series practically for the last few years. They're all fairly competitive, until football gets to that stage you won't see the attendances going up. The only way to get football to that level is to improve the four counties effected,” outlined the Limerick manager.