Meath hurling manager Cillian Farrell was under attack at Monday night's Co Committee at Áras Táilteann where delegates were critical of his instructions to players not to line out for their clubs in the opening round of the A FL.

Hurling boss under fire at meeting

Meath hurling manager Cillian Farrell was under attack at Monday night's Co Committee meeting at Áras Táilteann when delegates unleashed a verbal broadside at the Offaly man. Apparently, the hurling manager told his players not to line out for their clubs in the opening round of the A FL last Sunday, a week ahead of Meath's opening NHL Div 2B against Kildare that will take place at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday next, 2.30. Moynalvey delegate Peter Collins expressed the view of his club and was very unhappy over the matter. "Who gave the hurling manager authority to stop players lining out with their clubs in the A FL on Sunday, it was very unfair on the players," stated Collins. "If they have that Hitler-type rule in Offaly, it shouldn't apply in Meath," added the Moynalvey delegate. Dunsahughlin's Paddy O'Dwyer supported the Moynalvey delegate while Clann na ngael's Cathal Joyce said it was very unfair on the club. "We were playing Ballivor and they were without six players, we didn't start Ciaran Fitzsimons as he was unsure whether to play or not, but we brought him on in the second-half," added the Clann na nGael delegate. Fixtures secretary Jimmy Henry said he was surprised when he found out about it. "The chairman informed me about this on Saturday night and I contacted some of the clubs and told them they could use the players," stated Henry. Hurling chairman Francis Lynch said he knew nothing about this. "Someone should have told me, I only found out when Barney contacted me on Saturday night," stated Lynch. Farrell was not present at the meeting, but told the Meath Chronicle on Tuesday that he had made the request to the players in an effort to enhance the preparations for the forthcoming NHL. "I requested that the players would not play for their clubs because we only had a week to go to the start of the league," stated Farrell. "I believe there has been discontent among football managers, but it's the first time that I have ever requested the players not to play, I was a dual player myself. "I even released players, at the request of Barney Allen, to play football games a week before we played in the Christy Ring Cup last year. "Six days before we played in the Ring Cup I released players at the request of the county chairman. "Last week was the only time that I've ever requested players not to turn out for their clubs. We were down training at the Curragh, we had a tough day. I asked the players not to play. I said if there's any problems with their club managers they can ring me and I spoke to a few managers. "I explained my position and I explained if it was any other team in the league except Kildare I would have released them without any problem at all," he added.