Mediator route proposed in Limerick row

Following a meeting of the Limerick County Board on Tuesday, the idea of some third-party intervention was mentioned in an effort to solve the crisis that has engulfed the senior hurling side.

County chairman Liam Lenihan told delegates that the Board were prepared to engage a professional negotiator in an effort to break the deadlock which has left the county fielding a largely an understrength team since competitive action got underway last month.

However, delegates felt that the mediation route had been suggested last December, but had produced nothing. Frustrated delegates demanded an end to the divisive issue, either through a change of manager or a show of support for Justin McCarthy.

However, if clubs want to propose a change of management, it will have to be done in writing and considered by a special meeting.

Lenihan said that the team management and board executive were available for talks at all times.

He also expressed the view that a professional mediator was needed in the search for a solution to a row which has rumbled on since last October when McCarthy left several members of the 2009 squad off his new panel.

Lenihan denied that any pressure had been applied to younger members of the panel in an effort to persuade them to return to action.

A report from selector John Tuohy appeared to indicate that progress could still be made.

It's understood that Croke Park, who declined to enter the row a few weeks ago, were reluctant to become involved because their preliminary examination of the situation indicated that it was impossible to broker a solution at that stage.