McCarthy quits Waterford job
Justin McCarthy's seven-year reign as Waterford senior hurling manager came to a dramatic end last night as he was forced to admit that he had lost the support of his players.
After an emergency meeting of the Waterford Co Board executive, McCarthy released a statement confirming his resignation from the position.
The departure was confirmed after a meeting of the county board executive by Co Board chairman Pat Flynn.
The former Cork hurler's last match at Waterford's helm was last Sunday's Munster SHC quarter-final defeat to Clare at the Gaelic Grounds.
His statement read: "I have informed the County Board that I intend to step down as manager of the Waterford hurling team.
"I made the decision as I feel I no longer have the support of all the players on the team.
"It is with regret that I make the decision in the middle of the championship season.
"However, I feel it is the best course of action for all those involved."
The Waterford panel, who met twice in the last two days, had informed the Co Board that they were be withdrawing from all inter-county activity - training sessions and matches - if McCarthy remained in charge.
The players were due to train on Wednesday night in Tramore but they held a meeting at the venue instead, with the full panel and the U-21 players also in attendance.
McCarthy's man-management skills were allegedly called into question at the meeting and a number of players not regularly in the Deise's starting line-up also expressed their dissatisfaction with their lack of game-time.
Relations between McCarthy and Dan Shanahan are also understood to have worsened after the 2007 Hurler of the Year's request for extra time off before the start of the National League was turned down.
As well as that, during a recent training camp in Portugal when asked to pen their views on the current Deise set-up, some of the players expressed their frustration with McCarthy's management style.
With the loss to Clare putting Waterford straight through to the All-Ireland qualifiers, current selectors Nicky Cashin and Seamie Hannon are expected to take charge of the Deise panel for the rest of the summer.
The name of former Clare goalkeeper Davy Fitzgerald is thought to have also been raised as a possible successor at the players' meeting.
McCarthy presided over a steady Waterford renaissance during his lengthy reign. In his first season in 2002, he guided Waterford to their first Munster SHC title since 1963.
The Munster crown was regained in both 2004 and 2007, the Deise also tasted National League success in 2006 - ending a 43-year winless streak in the competition - and 10 Waterford players won All Star awards during McCarthy's time in charge.
