The late, lamented Labour Party Leader of the early Eighties, Frank Cluskey, was noted for his acerbic wit…

One time, on being told that Fianna Fáil had appointed former Minister and TD for Laois-Offaly, Paddy Lalor, as their Director of Elections for the 1983 European Elections, Cluskey drily remarked: ‘There’s Confidence for Ya!’

Something similar might be said of the Limerick footballers who take the field on Sunday against Westmeath in their opening League game – with no manager, no selectors and without twelve members of the panel. No, there hasn’t been a palace coup or another ‘soviet’ set up in Limerick The senior football management are on holiday in Gran Canaria with the county Under 21 football team, twelve of whom - including high-profile stars Brian Begley, Brian Greary, Stephen Lucey and Colm Hickey - would expect to be involved.

The Limerick party will arrive back in Cork airport after midday on Sunday, giving them insufficient time to travel to Mullingar for the 2.30 start.

Surely there could have been some bit of give and take between the two counties to avoid this ridiculous situation ? It makes a mockery of Seán McCague’s comments recently about the GAA’s commitment to the Leagues.

AFR wonders what new League sponsors Allianz must think of all this ?