THE CASHEL KING Cormacs club has slammed Tipperary GAA over the handling of the situation which led to club member Colm Bonnar departing the role as manager of the senior hurlers.
The Premier County announced last week that Bonnar had been “relieved of his duties” after just one season in the position. Bonnar was initially handed a three-year term but his time in charge came to an end on the back of a disappointing season for Tipperary. Liam Cahill has since been appointed as his replacement.
After a mixed National League campaign, Tipperary lost all of their four games in the Munster Championship. Bonnar subsequently spoke out about the decision and said that he was “extremely disappointed” by the decision, and his club has since added to the criticism and expressed their for Bonnar.
“The Cashel King Cormacs Executive Commitee wish to convey it’s utter disappointment with how the Tipperary County Management Committee in its own words, ‘relieved of his duties’ Colm Bonnar from his position as Manager of the Tipperary Senior Hurling Panel on Thursday 14 July.
“From a young age Colm made his mark on many Tipperary teams as a player winning an All Ireland Minor medal 1982. From there an inter county career blossomed with Colm a household fixture on the Tipperary Senior Hurling Team from 1986 to 1998. During that time, 2 All Ireland Senior titles, 5 Munster Senior Titles and 1 National League were achieved. Add in a well deserved All Star award in 1988.
“A sterling service without question.
“Since retiring as a player Colm turned his hand to coaching establishing an equally impressive CV. From Fitzgibbon Cups with Waterford IT to coaching/management roles with Wexford, Waterford, Ballyhale Shamrocks (All Ireland Club Champions), Dunhill and a successful stint with Carlow.
“So when the opportunity to manage his native county came about in late 2021 he duly answered the call. It’s worth pointing out that the general consensus on his appointment was that Tipperary Senior Hurling was entering a transitional period with time and patience the key components. This same point was reiterated at the 2021 Tipperary Board Convention.
“Therefore it was with great disgust to learn on social media a press release from the Tipperary County Board on Thursday 14 July, headlined by the line, ‘Colm Bonnar relieved of his duties’.
“We find the statement totally unacceptable towards a man that had, firstly, given everything as a player in the Blue and Gold and secondly, was clearly enthusiastic about entering into the second of his three year term mandated by the County Board. Colm had a clear vision towards developing the current player base into the future and presented this to a 15 person Management Committee.
“Colm we wish you well. We thank you for your distinguished service as a player and the short term you served as our Senior Hurling Manager. We look forward to seeing you back on the sidelines in the near future guiding and improving the Hurling skills of whoever is fortunate to have you by their side.”
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