GAELIC GAMES:IN THE end, it took a mere 41 minutes. Justin McCarthy will continue as Limerick hurling manager for the remainder of the season, as last night's vote of no confidence in his position not only failed to gain the necessary two-thirds majority – but resulted in an even greater level of support than recorded three months ago.

Some 133 delegates showed up at the special meeting of the county board at the Claughaun GAA clubhouse, and, after a secret ballot, it was decided by 83 votes to 47 to retain McCarthy – a quite extraordinary result, which actually represented 63.8 per cent in favour of the Cork native, and only 36.2 per cent against.

It means McCarthy will almost certainly see out the second of his two-year term in charge, with or without the majority of last year’s players, who have refused to play under him since last October.

Within minutes of the conclusion of the meeting, Limerick County Board chairman Liam Lenihan telephoned McCarthy to tell him his position was secure – and, given the county executive had been giving McCarthy their full backing, it was undoubtedly a call he was hoping to make.

So it’s business as usual, as far as McCarthy is concerned, who despite losing his opening four games – including a 22-point defeat to Tipperary last Sunday – now takes his largely developmental team to Offaly this Sunday.

Opening the meeting, Lenihan also urged that, whatever the outcome of the vote, all would unite for the good of Limerick hurling.

The meeting was a relatively straightforward affair, in that the motion of no confidence in McCarthy was the only item on the agenda; delegates were ultimately faced with only two options: vote to keep McCarthy and his management team in place through the 2010 league and championship, or vote for a change of management.

There was considerable tension when the tellers went outside to count the vote. They were 130 valid votes (two ballots were not returned, one was spoiled), and they returned with the result that McCarthy had secured 83 votes of support, with only 47 votes for a change of management.

McCarthy, in fact, required only one-third of the votes on the night to remain in charge for the rest of the season, given the motion on the table was to rescind a previous vote.

That vote, taken last December, was to support the manager, which McCarthy won on a vote 70 in favour of the motion and 54 against.

Dual clubs were entitled to two votes, whereas hurling clubs had a single vote, and what may have ultimately swung the motion in favour of McCarthy was the support of the junior and intermediate clubs, who didn’t appear quite as vehemently opposed to McCarthy staying on as some of their senior counterparts.

There were inevitably some heated comments on the night.

In presenting the motion, Donal Morrissey from Ahane (one of five clubs to submit the motion) said the crisis had gone on for five months: “It has become a shambles and tonight we have the chance to arrest the rapid decline in support for our hurlers. I urge all delegates to vote and that there be no abstentions.”

Paul Foley of Patrickswell, seconding the motion, said the strategy at present being adopted was not working and would not win the hearts and minds of supporters.

Leo Morrisson, Monaleen, proposed a secret ballot and was seconded by Brendan Danaher, Castletown-Ballyagran.

There is little doubt now that McCarthy will continue as manager.

Ahead of last night’s meeting, McCarthy wasn’t prepared to speculate on that, declaring he’d “wait and see, and comment when the meeting is over”.

The self-exiled 2009 panel have been training in recent weeks under former Limerick selector Derry O’Donovan, but as they refuse to bend on their stance, it’s unlikely they’ll see any intercounty hurling this season.

Limerick under McCarthy

(October, 2008 – National Hurling League (11 matches)

Won: 3 (Clare, Dublin, Waterford)

Lost: 8 (Kilkenny, Waterford, Cork x2,

Galway x2, Tipperary x2)

Championship(six matches)

Won: 3 (Wexford, Laois, Dublin)

Drew: 1(Waterford)

Lost: 2 (Waterford, Tipperary)

The Saga Continues. . .

OCTOBER: Limerick County Board back Justin McCarthy to continue as manager for a second year, despite him dropping almost half his 2009 panel, reportedly without telling them.

NOVEMBER: Several more leading players join the exiled 2009 panel, including Damien Reale and James

Ryan, so that 20 of the more senior players are now effectively on strike.

DECEMBER: County delegates vote 70-54 to retain McCarthy as manager, with 24 of the 2009 panel

now in exile.

JANUARY: The 24 exiled players release a lengthy statement criticising the county board and denying McCarthy’s claims of indiscipline.

FEBRUARY: The GAA reject an offer to mediate after

the 2009 players make it clear they will not play under McCarthy no matter what.

MARCH: James O’Brien breaks the mould by returning to Limerick, but no one else follows suit. Eventually, another motion of no confidence in McCarthy is tabled for last night’s county board meeting, which results in even great support for the manager, 83-47.