GAELIC GAMES: Dublin hurling slipped further into crisis last night when players refused to train under an interim management - consisting of county chairman John Bailey, Mick O'Riordan and Tommy Ryan.

Previous manager Humphrey Kelleher departed the team last week after a heavy defeat by Laois and a difficult year during which a succession of players had left the hurling panel.

"We went out to Parnell Park last night," says team captain David Curtin. "I had heard rumours that Tommy Naughton was to be the manager, that he was going to take it. We were very keen to get a few of the lads back playing, so I rang Tommy myself and asked: 'what's the story?' He said: 'No. As yet, I've heard nothing.' There was supposed to have been a meeting to ratify him as the manager.

"I heard a rumour then that John Bailey was taking over. I thought it was a few of the lads taking the mickey to be honest. I rang a few of the lads and we said if it is the case we won't train under him.

"The main reason for getting rid of Humphrey was to get a manager who the players could work with and progress with. Players would have come out to play for the team again if Tommy was in charge. Tommy wanted a clean slate. The past is the past."

The proposed interim management team met the panel last night, but players knew nothing about the proposal.

"We went out to Parnell Park," continues Curtin. "John Bailey was there. He told us to tog out.

"We knew nothing at this stage so I asked who was the manager.'Well,' he says, 'myself, Mick and Tommy are the managers for the next six or seven weeks and then we'll see.' Mick O'Riordan had told me at three o'clock that he didn't know who it was.

"We said no and had a heated argument over the stance we as players were taking. I think everyone spoke. The reason we're not going training is that we were led to believe that a manager would be put in place on Monday and that we would get the best possible players back.

"John Bailey said that if you walk out that door and don't train, you won't play for Dublin again. He specifically mentioned the under-21s, who were there - that they wouldn't play for Dublin again."

The players were then left on their own and discussed the matter among themselves. The decision reached was that they would not co-operate with the proposed interim management.

"We want to get back with a new manager," says Curtin, "a new manager, who has no issues with players. John Bailey in my view was saying - to Tommy Naughton or anyone else who might come in - you can be a manager on my terms. Enough is enough. We were all looking forward to getting back.

"We're going to meet again, we'll talk and see where we stand. We'll see if we can get together for training. For the weekend we'll go back for the clubs training."

The impasse comes at a critical time for the county, which is due to play its first qualifier match in a little over two weeks.

For the first time this year one county faces relegation from the senior championship and will not be eligible to contest next year's MacCarthy Cup.