Colm Bonnar's club Cashel King Cormacs have released a statement lambasting the Tipperary county board's handling of his departure as senior inter-county manager.
In a statement last week, the Tipperary county board announced news of Bonnar's departure after just one season in charge, saying their former manager had been "relieved of his duties".
The two-time All-Ireland winning hurler with Tipperary had initially been appointed on a three-year term but his reign ended after a difficult 2022 season, in which the county lost four of its Munster round-robin games, finishing bottom of the provincial league table.
Bonnar subsequently expressed his disappointment at the decision, commenting in an interview with TipperaryLive.ie that when he took the job, it was made clear that the county were entering a "transition and rebuilding period."
Former Tipperary minor and U21 manager Liam Cahill, who last week resigned from his post as Waterford manager, was this evening confirmed as new Tipperary manager on a three-year term.
Ex-Kilkenny hurler Eoin Larkin was amongst those to hit out at the wording of the statement, describing it as "tasteless" in an interview on RTÉ 2fm's Game On last week.
Now, Bonnar's club have weighed in a statement, expressing their "great disgust" with at the statement's wording, describing it as "totally unacceptable".
"The Cashel King Cormacs Executive Commitee wish to convey its utter disappointment with how the Tipperary County Management Committee in its own words, 'relieved of his duties' Colm Bonnar from his position as Manager of the Tipperary Senior Hurling Panel on Thursday July 14th.
"From a young age Colm made his mark on many Tipperary teams as a player winning an All Ireland Minor medal 1982. From there an inter county career blossomed with Colm a household fixture on the Tipperary Senior Hurling Team from 1986 to 1998. During that time, 2 All Ireland Senior titles, 5 Munster Senior Titles and 1 National League were achieved. Add in a well deserved All Star award in 1988.
"A sterling service without question.
"Since retiring as a player Colm turned his hand to coaching establishing an equally impressive CV. From Fitzgibbon Cups with Waterford IT to coaching/management roles with Wexford, Waterford, Ballyhale Shamrocks (All Ireland Club Champions), Dunhill and a successful stint with Carlow.
"So when the opportunity to manage his native county came about in late 2021 he duly answered the call. It's worth pointing out that the general consensus on his appointment was that Tipperary Senior Hurling was entering a transitional period with time and patience the key components. This same point was reiterated at the 2021 Tipperary Board Convention.
"Therefore it was with great disgust to learn on social media press release from the Tipperary County Board on Thursday July 14th, headlined by the line, 'Colm Bonnar relieved of his duties'.
"We find the statement totally unacceptable towards a man that had, firstly, given everything as a player in the Blue and Gold and secondly, was clearly enthusiastic about entering into the second of his three year term mandated by the County Board. Colm had a clear vision towards developing the current player base into the future and presented this to a 15 person Management Committee.
"Colm, we wish you well. We thank you for your distinguished service as a player and the short term you served as our Senior Hurling Manager. We look forward to seeing you back on the sidelines in the near future guiding and improving the hurling skills of whoever is fortunate to have you by their side."
