James Toher left 'gutted' after text message axe from from Meath hurling panel

Published: Tue 11 Apr 2017, 4:51 PM

Last updated: Tue 11 Apr 2017, 6:17 PM

FERGAL LYNCH
in an exclusive statement released to the Meath Chronicle Meath’s Christy Ring Cup-winning captain James Toher has revealed that he is 'gutted' to have been axed from the hurling panel and that he was even more disappointed with the manner of his removal from the squad.
“To say I was disappointed to receive a text message dropping me from the squad is an understatement,” he commented.

“After six years of total dedication to Meath hurling both on and off the field I was gutted to be told the news, particularly by text message,” he added.
Meath’s impressive NHL Div 2B final victory against Wicklow at Parnell Park was overshadowed by the announcement that manager Martin Ennis and his selectors would no longer accommodate dual players ahead of the Leinster SHC opener against on Sunday 23rd April at Pairc Tailteann.

READ THE FULL JAMES TOHER STATEMENT HERE

Meath returned to the Leinster SHC round robin after more than a decade in the lower tiers and will also face Laois in Navan on Sunday 30th April and Westmeath a fortnight later in Mullingar - without Toher and Mickey Burke.
Toher and Ireland Shinty international Burke were the two players Ennis was referring to in his interview with the Meath Chronicle in the immediate aftermath of that NHL Div 2B decider.

Ennis insisted that the players effectively forced his hand by making themselves unavailable for the NHL Div 2B final against Wicklow, choosing to travel with the football panel for the NFL Div 2 game against Clare in Ennis.
'James Toher and Mickey Burke made a choice themselves to concentrate on
football instead of hurling,' Ennis told the Meath Chronicle.
“They are their own men and they should be able to come out and say they want to play hurling - if they want to play.
'The bottom line, it’s over and done with now, no dual players for me any more. We will move on to the championship,” concluded the manager.
The episode has threatened to overshadow Meath's preparations to compete in the Leinster SHC when they take on Kerry in the round-robin series in Pairc Tailteann on Sunday 23rd April.

Meath continued their build-up for that game with a seven-point victory over London in a senior hurling challenge at Trim on Sunday.
The Meath senior football panel return to training this week. Meath footballers will play two challenge games in the coming weeks.
On Sunday 30th April Meath will face Down at the official opening of the Kilmainham club's facilities, 6pm and a week later, Sunday 7th May the Ballinlough club will be the venue for Meath against Cavan.