Limerick play down deal

New Limerick GAA board sponsor JP McManus is not providing an endless pit of money, as has been suggested, said county board secretary James Hartigan.

"We are aware that the rumour mill had it that JP had put his signature to a blank cheque - it is not like that at all. In fact, he has come in on much the same terms as our previous sponsor, the Moran Hotel Group," he claimed.

The deal remains a private matter between both parties.

Limerick, he continued, had a figure from which to operate over the next three seasons. It was up to the board to keep within the parameters of the sponsorship package.

He also denied suggestions Limerick, without an All-Ireland senior hurling win since 1973, had embarked on a mission to strengthen their squad with high-profile players from outside the county, on the pretext they had plenty of money.

"Such innuendo is way off the mark. True, names have been bandied about but anybody with the remotest knowledge of how the association works would know that there are very strict rules and guidelines to be adhered to."

Limerick, he added, would continue to be prudent with their money. "We spent over €500,000 in the preparation of our teams in 2003, and we expect it will be well above that for the current season."

However, he conceded that unlike 12 months ago when they were straddled with a €12 million debt for redevelopment work at the Gaelic Grounds they had much of the pressure lifted as a result of McManus' €5 million gift towards the refurbishment programme. The debt stands at €2.5 million

Meanwhile, the hurling management has yet to name their captain for 2005, while Muirís Gavin will be the football captain.