Limerick's Declan Hannon has claimed he can only laugh at how his "53 backroom staff" comments were received after the Munster final.
The Treaty won their sixth Munster title in a row earlier this month, but Hannon's comments created much debate in GAA circles.
The Adare club man said, "First of all, I want to thank the 36-strong panel of Limerick players.
"They represent the county so well, day in and day out. I’m very, very proud of you, the work you put in, and your humility. You are amazing. Keep it going for the next six weeks.
"We've got a backroom team of 53 people."
The comments opened up a debate about resources and fairness in the sport, with GAA president Jarlath Burns quickly clarifying Hannon's comments.
"I did clarify that with Paul Foley, the Ard Comhairle rep from Limerick, because I knew he didn't mean that," said Burns.
"I can tell you if you're a captain up there... I'm often standing beside them, and I know how nervous they can be. There aren't 53. I can reassure people around the country that if you are trying to get up to that level, it's not... I think it's 37 on the panel and 16 in the backroom, so he looked at the whole family as one, 53 people."
'We'll see ye in Croke Park in four weeks time' - Limerick captain Declan Hannon lifts the Mackey Cup as they seal a historic sixth successive title
📺 Watch on @RTE2 and @RTEplayerhttps://rte.ie/player/onnow/66546216064
📱Updates https://t.co/DRIxh76wti pic.twitter.com/YxKW1H8dlg— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 9, 2024
Hannon, speaking this week, admitted that he has seen the funny side of the issue and also claimed that it could have been a lot worse.
“I thought it was 63!” said Hannon. “It gave people something to talk about, so it did. Obviously, that included the 36 players. We definitely do not have 53 in the backroom team, that’s for sure.”
However, it didn’t stop the fun and games on social media and the like, with a mocked-up picture of a triple-decker bus doing the rounds.
“My father sent me a picture of the bus as well. He believed it, like. Everybody was believing it, but it’s funny, I suppose. These things happen. I could have said worse, but you have to laugh at it looking back.”
Limerick will play Cork in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final on Sunday, July 7th, at 4 p.m. in Croke Park.
