Limerick hurling manager Bennis sacked

Richie Bennis' two-year term as Limerick senior hurling manager is officially overafter the Patrickswell clubman was axed by the Limerick Co Board.

Richie Bennis' two-year term as Limerick senior hurling manager is officially overafter the Patrickswell clubman was axed by the Limerick Co Board.

The news filtered through following a meeting of the Limerick Co Board last night, with officials confirming that they have decided to seek nominations for the position.

Bennis, who memorably guided Limerick through to the All-Ireland final last year, became involved with the panel in the summer of 2006 when he was appointed caretaker manager after the resignation of Joe McKenna.

A member of the last Limerick team to win an All-Ireland back in 1973, Bennis proved to be an inspirational figure during his first full season at the helm.

However, 2008 has been a year of lows and few highs for the Shannonsiders, with Bennis getting the brunt of the criticism.

"I'd like to give it another go and stay on as manager. I've told the Co Board how I feel about the situation," he said recently.

"But if the Co Board decide that they don't want to keep me on, then I'll willingly walk away and let them find someone else."

Bennis' last match in charge was the deflating 3-19 to 0-18 qualifier defeat to Offaly at the Gaelic Grounds on July 12 - a result which confirmed Limerick's exit from the All-Ireland championship.

They also suffered a heavy loss (4-12 to 1-16) to Clare in the Munster semi-final, after a league campaign that included three wins and two defeat.

Last month, Bennis also had to come out and deny comments he made to a local newspaper about some members of the Limerick panel allegedly going drinking together after training.

He insisted he was misquoted but the bad publicity will have disappointed members of the Limerick Co Board.

A special committee has already been put in place to oversee the selection process for Bennis' replacement.

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