LIMERICK CRISIS:WITH ONLY six of last year's panel available for selection the Limerick hurling team has taken on a dramatically different complexion ahead of Sunday's first competitive fixture of the 2010 season.

Of the starting 15 from last year’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Tipperary, only Paudie McNamara remains in Justin McCarthy’s panel after the 24-man majority confirmed this week their refusal to play under the current management.

The 1,700 word statement – met by silence from the county board executive and McCarthy – is the first official action taken by the 2009 panel since McCarthy dropped 12 players without any direct notice during the pre-season.

The county board did appoint a new selector, Dan Tuohy, for the current campaign and he is believed to be keeping dialogue open with the exiled (some self-imposed) hurlers.

A hugely-inexperienced Limerick side will take the field in Kilmallock against UCC in the quarter-final of the Waterford Crystal Cup.

It is believed McCarthy has no intention of resigning especially after receiving a vote of confidence from the club delegates before Christmas.

At last Tuesday night’s county board meeting, Limerick chairman Liam Lenihan stated: “I have no intention of commenting on the players’ statement – they were entitled to express their views. I am not going to get involved in a tit-for-tat with the players.

“I appreciate where they are coming from and I would love to see them back, but I can’t force them back.

“If we could get all of our players back that would be great. The door is always open – I am an eternal optimistic and we will live in hope.”

The six players who decided not to quit the panel are McNamara, Paul Browne, Brian O’Sullivan, Graham Mulcahy, David Breen and David Moloney.