Murray is latest to leave Limerick

The crisis that has engulfed Limerick inter-county hurling shows no sign of abating with the news that goalkeeper Brian Murray is the latest player to quit the senior panel.

The catalyst for this latest demonstration of player-power seems to have been manager Justin McCarthy's decision to overhaul his squad.

Niall Moran, Stephen Lucey, Donie Ryan, Andrew O'Shaughnessy and Mark Foley were all dropped from the panel for the 2010 season and a number of their former team-mates have withdrawn their services in an apparent act of solidarity.

James Ryan, Damien Reale, Seamus Hickey, Brian Geary and Wayne McNamara are just some of the county stars that have ended their involvement in the panel.

McCarthy, who has already received the dreaded vote of confidence from the county board, is eager to keep all channels of communication open with the disenchanted players and has indicated that his door is always open to them.

Limerick PRO Helen Cross told the Irish Examiner: 'Justin has said he is available to talk to any player who wishes to meet him.

'But I understand that they have declined his offer. The PRO insisted that McCarthy and his management team retain the full backing of the county board.

'At a meeting of the County Management Committee in the Gaelic Grounds on Wednesday night (October 18) it was decided unanimously to support Justin McCarthy and his management team for 2010.

'The meeting ran from 7.30pm to 11.30pm - they went through everything and just felt that they needed to support Justin McCarthy as manager.

'It's a pity that things like this have to happen, but hopefully it will be resolved, because these situations can take a while to recover.'