The Farce that is Dublin Hurling

Waylander

I was driving into work this morning when I heard that the Dublin hurlers were refusing to train under the new management team, which included John Bailey. Firstly I could not believe Bailey had the audacity to put himself into a management \ selector role with one of the teams, secondly I think it is a very bad state of affairs when you take into account they have lost their last 12 competitive matches (I think this is correct). Does anyone know what position Bailey was in regarding the team?

cruiserweight

Here is the story from rte
http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0603/dublin.html

Dublin hurlers refuse to train
Friday, 03 June 2005 11:57

Dublin's hurling crisis went from bad to worse last night when the senior squad refused to train under the interim management team of John Bailey, Mick O'Riordan and Tommy Ryan last night.

The trio has replaced Humphrey Kelleher, who was ousted from the job last week following the Dubs' disastrous league campaign and their disappointing showing in their Leinster Championship defeat to Laois last month.

However, the players are furious that plans to install Tommy Naughton as manager were scrapped after he revealed he wanted former captain Kevin Flynn to return to the panel.

Flynn has been kept out in the cold since last year's Championship when he left for America just four days before the Dubs' qualifier defeat to Kilkenny.

At least in Dublins case there is time to get this sorted before the qualifiers (unlike Tipperary footballers last year)! If I was a Dublin hurling supporter I would be very much in fear of relegation this year if things continue in this fashion!

Yavvy

I think we will be relagated as the worst of the teams in the McCarthy Cup division

The Rooster

Antrim are just as bad, so relegation is 50/50. But Bailey is scum - see below in the Irish Times article, he threatened players (with particular emphasis on the under 21 lads) that they'd never be let play for Dublin again.

GAELIC GAMES: Dublin hurling slipped further into crisis last night when players refused to train under an interim management - consisting of county chairman John Bailey, Mick O'Riordan and Tommy Ryan.Previous manager Humphrey Kelleher departed the team last week after a heavy defeat by Laois and a difficult year during which a succession of players had left the hurling panel.

"We went out to Parnell Park last night," says team captain David Curtin. "I had heard rumours that Tommy Naughton was to be the manager, that he was going to take it. We were very keen to get a few of the lads back playing, so I rang Tommy myself and asked: 'what's the story?' He said: 'No. As yet, I've heard nothing.' There was supposed to have been a meeting to ratify him as the manager.

"I heard a rumour then that John Bailey was taking over. I thought it was a few of the lads taking the mickey to be honest. I rang a few of the lads and we said if it is the case we won't train under him.

"The main reason for getting rid of Humphrey was to get a manager who the players could work with and progress with. Players would have come out to play for the team again if Tommy was in charge. Tommy wanted a clean slate. The past is the past."

The proposed interim management team met the panel last night, but players knew nothing about the proposal.

"We went out to Parnell Park," continues Curtin. "John Bailey was there. He told us to tog out.

"We knew nothing at this stage so I asked who was the manager.'Well,' he says, 'myself, Mick and Tommy are the managers for the next six or seven weeks and then we'll see.' Mick O'Riordan had told me at three o'clock that he didn't know who it was.

"We said no and had a heated argument over the stance we as players were taking. I think everyone spoke. The reason we're not going training is that we were led to believe that a manager would be put in place on Monday and that we would get the best possible players back.

"John Bailey said that if you walk out that door and don't train, you won't play for Dublin again. He specifically mentioned the under-21s, who were there - that they wouldn't play for Dublin again."

The players were then left on their own and discussed the matter among themselves. The decision reached was that they would not co-operate with the proposed interim management.

"We want to get back with a new manager," says Curtin, "a new manager, who has no issues with players. John Bailey in my view was saying - to Tommy Naughton or anyone else who might come in - you can be a manager on my terms. Enough is enough. We were all looking forward to getting back.

"We're going to meet again, we'll talk and see where we stand. We'll see if we can get together for training. For the weekend we'll go back for the clubs training."

The impasse comes at a critical time for the county, which is due to play its first qualifier match in a little over two weeks.For the first time this year one county faces relegation from the senior championship and will not be eligible to contest next year's MacCarthy Cup.

Yavvy

damm it. Dublin Hurling seemed to be moving in the right direction 3 years ago and now its going backwards. What is the craic with Bailey and dublin managers ? he just doesnt seem to have a clue.

Does anyone knwo of a good hurling manager that would be even interested ?
What Loughnane up to these days ?:)

cruiserweight

I think that Mr. Loughnane might wait for another post if he wants one! How about Nicky English for a few weeks? He lives in dublin afaik, and is not that long out of management!

Big Ears

Antrim aren't great but their better than Dublin , im afraid if they don't get things sorted soon its not just relegation but being thrashed in every single game they'll play .

cruiserweight

A little more news on the Dublin hurling crisis

It has been reported in today's newspapers that former Dublin football manager Kevin Heffernan was close to making a dramatic return to inter county management with the Dublin hurlers.

Heffo along with former dual player Mick Holden and former manager Marty Morris were to team up to take charge of the crises ridden county hurlers.

However, the plan was scuppered when opposition to the involvment of Morris emerged.

It is believed that Heffo has since shelved the idea of getting involved in any capacity.

Meanwhile Dublin County Board chairman John Bailey has said that he never had any plans to take over the management of the team.

He said that he attended training last Thursday to accomodate a training session under an interim managment set up.

Players refused to train and subsequently issued a statement explaining that they would not play until a satisfactory manager was put in place.

cruiserweight

Looks like Dubs have a new manager! A steady hand to guide them to relegation

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2005/0609/dublin.html

Tommy Naughton from Scoil Uí Chonaill was unanimously appointed manager of the Dublin senior hurling team for the duration of the 2005 Championship at a meeting of the Dublin County Committee on Wednesday evening in Parnell Park.

Andy Cunningham of O'Tooles and Craobh Chiaráin's Tommy Ryan will act as selectors.

The management team will meet the current panel on Friday next in Parnell Park at 7.30pm for a training session before confirming their own panel on Saturday.

Waylander

I heard that this morning alright, but I know nothing about him so I could not pass comment on the appointment. I think the players wanted him in from the start though.

Yavvy

looks that s way. I think they need a manager that knows the clubs very well and has the ability to call apon any player he wants