Limerick rubber stamp TJ Ryan’s new hurling management

TJ Ryan’s new-look Limerick senior hurling management was ratified this Tuesday night at the September County Board meeting without any hitches.

On the proposal from Limerick GAA chairman Oliver Mann, there were no comments, questions or queries from the club delegates before the appointment was rubber-stamped.

Garryspillane’s Jim Dooley then formally proposed the new management and this was seconded by South Board secretary Hugh Murphy.

However, the new-look backroom team doesn’t include a hurling coach at this point in time.

The chairman explained the reason.

“There are a number of people being spoken to and they are still involved with clubs and not willing to commit to Limerick while they are still involved with their clubs,” outlined Mann.

So TJ Ryan continues for the second year of his three year term.

Gone are former hurling coach Paul Beary and strength and conditioning coach Mark Lyons - both were also selectors in 2015.

Former Clare All Ireland winning strength and conditioning coach Joe O’Connor takes over from Lyons.

A Rathkeale native, O’Connor previously worked with the Clare and Waterford senior hurlers and Kerry footballers.

Also joining the management team is Don Flynn, who is one of two selectors alongside Davy Clarke, who remains from 2015.

Killeedy’s Flynn was Limerick intermediate hurling manager for the past two seasons.

The extended backroom team has also undergone changes with the new liaison officer Conor McCarthy and video analyst Sean O’Donnell, formerly of Jimmy Barry Murphy’s Cork senior hurling backroom team.

The meeting also rubber-stamped the new minor management.

Pat Donnelly is elevated from selector to manager after Leo O’Connor stepped down.

In 2015 Donnelly was Limerick U-17 manager and also a minor selector.

Anthony Daly continues as team coach and will be joined by Will McCormack.

The selectors remain unchanged with Brian Foley and John Mulqueen.

The liaison officer remains Denis Murrihy, with a new IT officer Liam Bourke.