McCarthy steps aside

Waterford's season has been thrown into turmoil after it was confirmed manager Justin McCarthy has resigned with immediate effect…

Waterford's season has been thrown into turmoil after it was confirmed manager Justin McCarthy has resigned with immediate effect.

McCarthy's surprise decision to end his seven-year reign at the helm, just days after the heavy championship defeat at the hands of Clare, prompted an emergency meeting of the Waterford board this evening.

At that meeting, the board accepted McCarthy's decision and must now look to get a new man in place ahead of the forthcoming qualifier series.

In a statement released this evening, McCarthy pointed to player unrest as the overriding factor in coming to his decision but wished the current squad "every success in the future".

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"I made the decision as I feel I no longer have the full support of all the players on the team," he explained.

"I would like to thank the County Board for their co-operation, and for the support they have always given me, and I wish the players and the new management team every success in the future."

Of his decision to leave his post mid-stream, McCarthy added: "I regret that my decision to step down has come in the middle of the championship season, however I feel it is the best course of action for everybody involved.

"I will be making no further comment at this time."

McCarthy's departure is bound to raise some eyebrows, not least because of his own comments in the immediate aftermath of Sunday's nine-point defeat.

In paying tribute to Clare's "outstanding" display, McCarthy pointed to the fact that his side were missing a number of key figures and insisted the county would bounce back from the disappointment.

"We are probably being written off by everyone other than ourselves," he said at the time. "But believe me, this team of ours at full-strength still has a lot to give and will go on and give it."

Elsewhere, Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy has made one to his side from the league final with Drom & Inch attacker Seamus Callinan coming in for Benny Dunne at centre-forward. Dunne drops down to the replacements bench with James Woodlock moving to midfield.

Callianan and corner-back Eamon Buckley will be getting their first taste of championship action.  All-Star defender Eamonn Corcoran has overcome the ankle injury that had threatened his involvement and takes his place in the half-back line.

Tipperary  (SH v Cork): B Cummins; E Buckley, P Curran, C O'Brien; E Corcoran, C O'Mahony, S Maher; J Woodlock, S McGrath; S Butler, S Callinan, R O'Dwyer; E Kelly, L Corbett, W Ryan.

Full statement from Justin McCarthy

"Today I informed the chairman of Waterford county board that I intend to step down as manager of the Waterford senior hurling team.

"I made the decision as I feel I no longer have the full support of all the players on the team.

"I would like to thank the county board for their co-operation, and for the support they have always given me, and I wish the players and the new management team every success in the future.

"I also want to thank the selectors and backroom team, and the great loyal supporters who have followed Waterford through thick and thin.

"Over the last seven years Waterford has enjoyed unprecedented success on the hurling field and I am privileged to have been involved with such a great team.

"I regret that my decision to step down has come in the middle of the championship season, however I feel it is the best course of action for everybody involved.

"I will be making no further comment at this time."