Former Limerick hurling manager Tom Ryan has criticised the county board for not showing more respect to former players. In a reference to former stars Dave Clarke, Mike Houlihan, Declan Nash and Mike Galligan, who played in two All-Ireland finals under Ryan's stewardship, he said yesterday it was unfair that they had been put out to grass. That, he said, had left a sour taste.

The players had been released by the current management, but Ryan said they deserved more recognition for their many years of service.

"We had a big problem with the following-on of players. A lot of them are leaving with a sour taste. Would you blame them," he asked.

"If you gave everything you had for 10 years and were dismissed with a headline? It is not good enough."

But county board chairman Donal Fitzgibbon said the players concerned had been written to by the board and thanked for their contribution. "We also told them that the door had not been shut on them," he said.

Tipperary hurler Brian O'Meara is doubtful for the league campaign which starts in two weeks after breaking a finger in a challenge game against Birr last weekend.