Longford committed to Lory Meagher Cup
The Longford senior hurlers have vowed to take part in this year's Lory Meagher Cup after a meeting of players, management and County Board officials last night at Pearse Park.
The meeting took place in the aftermath of the Midlanders' failure to participate in their Allianz Hurling League Division 3B encounter against Fermanagh at Enniskillen last Sunday.
Only 12 players were available for new manager Frank Browne, who had only taken the managerial reins the previous Tuesday night.
Fears were eased by the players last night that the team would not be withdrawing from the summer competition after they voiced their commitment to the cause. Training will resume for the squad on Friday morning.
Longford GAA chairman Gerry Minnock said that the county had been badly hit by retirements and emigration.
There are just three hurling clubs in Longford and Minnock added that with a lot of dual players, numbers were always going to be an issue.
Longford manager Frank Browne told Shannonside Sport: "I think the meeting went pretty well and we had a good turnout.
"We are in a bad place at the moment and there is no point in denying that. There is a lot of work to be done, but as always say there is a core of fundamental hurling people there who love the game.
"We are just going to try and tap into that over the coming weeks. The Lory Meagher Cup is coming up in five or six weeks' time and the preparation isn't ideal for it.
"But we are getting ourselves organised. We'll get back on the pitch, get out training and do a little bit of hurling and see where we go from there."
