TJ Ryan has all but officially stepped down as the manager of Limerick hurling team following a defeat to Clare in the qualifiers of the All-Ireland hurling championship.
Limerick were defeated by Clare having been beaten by Tipperary on a scoreline of 3-12 1-16 in the Munster championship. They have now been beaten in the qualifiers two years in a row since appearing in a semi-final just two years ago under Ryan.
Ryan stepped in as the manager along with Donal O'Grady but took over the reins in 2014 when O'Grady resigned.
“I’ve given three years of my life to this job. I’ve given every waking hour," he told reporters after the defeat.
“Anybody who’s ever been involved in a management team, anybody who’s ever been involved in inter-county setup, it takes huge time. It takes massive effort. It’s every day, every minute of every day, phone calls, trying to organise everything, trying to do it to the best of your ability for the county.
“I’ve given everything as a player and as a manager to Limerick hurling. I’ve brought it as far as I could. It wasn’t to be, it wasn’t good enough.
"Without making anything formal, I will probably do that during the week but I’ve taken it as far as I could.
“I’ve given it absolutely everything, I genuinely have. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, I’m very grateful to the people who have allowed me the opportunity.
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