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Dublin: 12 °C Saturday 25 May, 2013

This is why I dropped Eoin Kelly, says new Déise boss Michael Ryan

The two-time All-Star has been excluded from Waterford’s senior hurling panel because of his fitness. Here’s the details.

Eoin Kelly: fitness row with new boss.
Eoin Kelly: fitness row with new boss.
Image: INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

NEW WATERFORD HURLING manager Michael Ryan has confirmed that Eoin Kelly has been dropped from the county’s senior panel because of fitness concerns.

But he has left the door open for the two-time All-Star to return – should his condition improve.

“We met with Eoin Kelly in October – as we did a number of other players,” the new coach told local station WLR FM.

“He was then brought in for a fitness assessment and a gym programme for seven weeks. At the end of seven weeks, he was called in, as the rest of the players were, and given a fitness test by Pat Flanagan.

“The results of that test were disappointing, to be honest. I then contacted Eoin and I said to him that we were going to invite him to join the panel for the month of January and see would that make any difference, on one condition that he came in and met us.

“He refused to meet us and I said to him very specifically ‘Eoin, do you realise by not meeting us the consequences of your decision?’

“He said ‘I do’. I said ‘Okay, will you think about that overnight and I’ll come back and talk to you tomorrow.’ So I rang him again the following day and again, Eoin said that he hadn’t changed his mind. That was exactly as he felt.

“So, in effect, Eoin Kelly has effectively ruled himself out of the squad for the moment.”

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Comments (3 Comments)

  • Sounds like Kelly left the management with little or no choice! Perhaps Kelly thinks he is a better player than he actually is. Was a top player a few years ago but can’t recall him playing a good game in the last two years..

    Reply
    • Cannot recall him actually playing a full match in last two years Paul…due primarily to injury and issues with Davys Team Selection, so I fail to see your point. I lost all respect for new manager when I learned of two things this week namely, Footballers with no senior inter county experience making the panel and Ryans initial error of judgement. It was wholly disgraceful that the newly appointed Manager should alienate an inter county all star who gave 11 years of his life to Waterford hurling by expecting him to train alone in segregation from 50 other panel players. This is in direct contravention of the spirit upon which the GAA was founded and I have no faith in this man to deliver. I generally steer away from forums such as these as I find the are hunting grounds for bored idiots … I am ashamed to read the negative personal comments posted over the past few days by so called Deise supporters …(most of whom probably aren’t even paid up members!,,). Ryan is proving too fond of the media and should remain quiet until he has proven the virtue of his appointment.

      Reply
  • The O’Gorman lads will prove their worth. Tough as nails & could do a job for us, let’s give the new boss a chance.

    Reply

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