Westmeath's Christy Ring Cup preparations have been plunged into crisis following the decision by hurling manager Tom Ryan to quit the county for good. The former Limerick boss was persuaded to stay on as manager last November after just eight out of 64 players attended the first trial match of the season. A month ago, Ryan suspended county training because of low numbers but, after three rounds of the local club championship, he was hoping for a fresh approach from his players. But when training resumed last Tuesday, only 15 players from a panel of 34 turned up. That figure was reduced to 12 when the second training session of the week was organised for Robinstown on Thursday evening. Unsurprisingly, that proved to be the final straw for Ryan who has resigned along with his fellow selectors Pat O'Toole and Mick Cosgrove. It's understood that another member of the backroom team, Seamus Qualter, will remain on in some capacity. "Fellas were ringing and texting to tell us they wouldn't be training - we were operating by text message and you can't hope to compete like that," said a clearly frustrated Ryan. "The county board will have to decide what they're doing with hurling. Some of the main clubs don't co-operate and in Westmeath, our regime didn't suit. "It's a shame because we had the nucleus of a very good team there and there's a player from Lough Lene Gaels, Killian Cosgrove, who is the Wayne Rooney of hurling. "I want to pay tribute to my selectors Pat O'Toole and Mick Cosgrove and I hope that Westmeath go on to do well," he added. Tweet

Most Read Stories