Shane Dowling: 'Incompetence' key cause of hurling pains

Former Limerick attacker Shane Dowling has slammed the "incompetence" that has contributed to the problems currently hampering hurling, including the over two-year wait to appoint a new national hurling development manager.

The role has remained unfilled since Martin Fogarty stepped down in 2021 after his five-year term ended.

A new national hurling action plan workgroup, with former Mayo dual star Keith Higgins one of its members, met for the first time at the start of December and the vacant position is an item likely to be high on the agenda as they assess the health of the sport as part of 'Áontas 2022-2026' - the GAA's latest strategic plan.

"Martin Fogarty finished up in 2021, why was he not replaced? Is there an answer for that, maybe I should know," Dowling told the RTÉ GAA Podcast.

"Are they trying to save money because they’re saying there’s a cost of getting somebody else in?"

Continuing on from the debate featured on League Sunday, where Westmeath manager Joe Fortune and Louth captain Peter Fortune discussed the state of play in depth, Dowling said that money would not solve all ills, instead pointing the finger at those who spend it.

"I think it’s called incompetent people. We’ve all these people talking about it, but the people that in charge [don’t] seem to do anything about it.

"So as far as I’m concerned, it’s incompetent.

"If you have somebody in charge and they’re not listening to anybody... you have to listen, you just have to listen.

"If everybody is continuously talking about it, why can’t something be done about it?

"Yes you need finance, you absolutely need money no question, but it can’t be all about money.

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