DAVE MAHEDY, the trainer of the Limerick hurlers for the last three years, has stepped down from the position. In the aftermath of the team's second All Ireland final defeat in three years, last September, there were recriminations during which Mahedy was singled out and had his role queried in a list of 20 questions submitted to manager Tom Ryan.

Mahedy, manager of the Sports Department at the University of Limerick, had worked with Ryan since Ryan's appointment in 1993. Although the All Ireland defeats were bitter, the county's two Munster titles were memorable, particularly this year's when they beat Tipperary after a replay, knocked out All Ireland champions Clare and inflicted on Cork a first home defeat in over 70 years.

"Dave has taken his final decision on the matter," said Ryan last night. "The fall out after the All Ireland and the 20 question saga was central to that and Dave took it on a personal basis. I had protracted negotiations with him but he was upset at the way his role was picked on and personalised. The amount of work he's put in that nobody saw and nobody wanted to see.

"The facilities within the university were always laid on for us and he has played a central role in what success we've had. I'm devastated to have lost a great colleague who was popular with the players and who also had their respect."

Ryan also called on the county board to appoint a successor to Mahedy as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Cavan have named the team for tomorrow's National Football League Division One match with Derry at Kingscourt and Fintan Cahill has not been named in the selection.

Cahill is one of the players at the centre of the New York football controversy at the moment and whereas it was not confirmed that this was the reason behind his omission, it follows the pattern set in Kerry, Donegal and Armagh whereby players who allegedly participated in the New York final replay, between the Westmeath and Donegal clubs, have not been considered for recent matches.

In Tyrone, it is reported that the football panel have decided to cancel a holiday that had been arranged as a reward for retaining the Ulster title and becoming the first team in 20 years to do so. The decision was taken by the players themselves who have decided to give priority to their campaign to become the first three in a row winners in the province since Down in 1959-61.

"I have had no input because it was nothing to do with me," said manager Danny Ball who was appointed alter Art McRory and Eugene McKenna stepped down in the wake of Tyrone's All Ireland semi final defeat by Meath. "The holiday was for players who played under Art and Eugene."