Hi °C | Lo °C THE now former Limerick hurling manager, Richie Bennis, has claimed his interview with the appointments committee was little more than a "charade".
Bennis expressed disappointed that he had not been granted an extension to his term as manager as the Limerick Board prepared to ratify Justin McCarthy as their next manager.
McCarthy’s name was put before a meeting last night, just four months after he was effectively made to walk the plank by the players in Waterford in a controversial coup.
Bennis had appealed for a one-year extension to the two years he had already put in, but once that wasn’t granted last July and after Limerick’s championship exit to Offaly he was on his way out.
Bennis has no regrets about staying in the process for so long despite clear evidence that he wasn’t the preferred choice.
"I’d have no regrets on that front. I wanted the job but I knew in my heart and soul that I wasn’t the favourite by any stretch," Bennis said.
"My interview was little more than a charade. I was hardly asked any questions. Maybe there wasn’t much to ask. But I knew their minds were made up."
Bennis said he felt more sympathy for Pat Herbert who has now been spurned for the Limerick position for a third time.
"Pat was in for it twice before, when Pat Joe Whelehan got it and also when I was appointed for two years in 2006," he said.
"On both occasions it was a ’done deal’ just like it was here."
Bennis admitted disappointed and was keen to recall that in ’06 he had not been found wanting in taking over at a difficult time when Joe McKenna resigned in the middle of the All-Ireland championship.
