Meyler walks away from the Kingdom

THEY say all polticial careers end in failure, but what about hurling managers?

After a hugely succesful second coming as Kerry hurling boss, John Meyler stepped down from the role for a second time in May following a desperately disappointing couple of months for Kerry hurling. They failed to impress during the National League – losing out at home to Carlow and away to Westmeath, before finally recovering some ground playing Wicklow and Down. There was the controversy over the Boyle brothers bubbling under the surface.

When May rolled around there was hopes for renewal in the Christy Ring Cup. The Kingdom were the reigning champions and the overwhelming favourites to retain their title. They had Shane Brick back in the fold and former Kilkenny star Willie O’Dwyer had joined the fold. Hopes were high, despite all that had gone before. The Kingdom were in for a rude awakening in their first game – away to Wicklow in Arklow.

They lost that game 2-20 to 1-15. A week later they travelled to Newbridge to take on Kildare with their season on the line. The result was even more disappointing. They lost 2-21 to 1-16. After the game Meyler announced his decision to walk away from the Kerry fold.

“What I want and what I got is not enough for me. I was hoping to drive it on, but it was not to be,” he commented.