Clear-the-air talks postponed

CLARE HURLING CRISIS:TALKS AIMED at resolving the Clare hurling impasse were planned for last night but did not take place due to the unavailability of several players.

Team manager Mike McNamara is eager to sit down with disgruntled stars after players sent a letter to county board officials calling for his removal.

Clare top brass were hopeful that McNamara and his players would sit down last night in the search for common ground but players could not comply at such short notice.

One panel member explained that eight panellists are currently involved with their clubs and therefore “club-tied”, four have exam commitments and two could not attend because of work commitments.

With 14 players unavailable for talks, a decision was taken not to go ahead with negotiations last night. The panel member did confirm that players will sit down with McNamara in the coming days but he stressed that they wish to meet among themselves first to decide upon their next move.

Talks between both parties may not now take place until early next week but county board officials are anxious that there is movement on the issue as quickly as possible. County officials are firmly behind McNamara but players have expressed dissatisfaction with the manager’s training methods and man-management style.

At a meeting this week, the county board confirmed receipt of a letter from players but revealed that it was not signed.

However, the panel member insisted the document was signed “on behalf of the Clare senior hurling panel”.

He explained that individual signatures were not obtained because of time constraints as a letter needed to be drafted as soon as possible once it became clear that the county board wished to see McNamara reinstated.

The player added: “The players are unhappy with the choice of management for 2010.”

If no resolution can be reached, the threat of strike action by players cannot be ruled out.”

But significantly, the player source indicated that this is a course of action that panellists would be uncomfortable with at this point in time.