THE LIMERICK hurling crisis may come to a head as early as Thursday night if the motion for a vote of no confidence in manager Justin McCarthy is cleared by the county board.

Eight clubs have now resubmitted this motion of no confidence, having originally had their submissions sent back by the county board for failing to identify the proper motion, and the intention now is to address the motion as early as possible.

If arrangements can be made for this week then Thursday is still viewed as a possibility; otherwise it will be early next week. But in their statement clarifying the matter, the Limerick board admitted it was “anxious to progress the meeting” and that when proper notice of the motion is received “the meeting will be held at the very earliest opportunity”.

Limerick suffered their third successive defeat, to Waterford, on Sunday, despite a positive start, and although McCarthy put this down to the team being a “bit tired”, there is no denying his young team – devoid of the majority of last year’s panellists – are struggling badly to maintain a position in the top flight.

Last Tuesday’s county board meeting suggested there is still considerable unease with McCarthy still being in charge, while the majority of players are refusing to play under him, despite the previous motion of confidence in McCarthy, back in January, which was passed by a majority of 70-55. County board chairman Liam Lenihan has maintained a line of support in McCarthy, and that ultimately only the club motion could remove him.

In the meantime the 2009 squad have been training under Derry O’Donovan, and judging by the swiftness of the eight clubs in submitting a motion of no confidence in McCarthy, it would appear only a matter of time before they’re back playing with the county.