Mike Kerley sacked.

**gael353** · 28/11/2004, 7:43 PM

So overall it�s like this and this is only my opinion ok! We needed to be taken over as the people in charge didn�t know how to advance the club further and didn�t have the finance or ways of attracting said finance so now the takeover is being done or has been done. The incoming group have decided long ago to make one of themselves (Noel O�Connor) the first team manager but as Noel in his last season with us before he walked, led Limerick to last place and some less then attractive dull football, where his commitment to some players long past their sell by date had to be questioned. Noel is one of the most qualified coaches in the country and this is why Cork City made him an offer two years ago. He has we hope gained much needed higher level experience while at City. While most supporters welcomed the incoming group long ago its fair to say that there wasn�t much excitement among any that Noel would be a good appointment. A good, no great coach yes, but manager? As I said before I wanted John Gill. Noel isn�t the best communicator with the public and the club will need to appoint a good PRO (not looking at the PRO from the SC

to perform the clubs duties in this regard.
Mick Kerley in his first year did a great job in steering a team (built mainly by Noel) to the first division play offs, only poor club structure i.e. no under 21�s or any quality subs let us down in Derry a tie we should have won. With the exodus of quality players before last season (not Micks fault, club fault only) he was left with two weeks to assemble a squad. �Shur it�s easy to get 11 players,� said our chairman but quality players released by other teams? A very tall order indeed so players were brought in as stop gaps like William Delaney, Stephan Jeuny, Ollie Keogh, Jon Mernagh and more! He also had to cope with a massive long term injury problem during the season which saw our better and more experienced players get crocked like James Sugrue, Timmy Lynch after two games, John White as well as Alan Barry. We were useless down the left and had to thank our sponsor for bringing in a left full from Holland in Jalmard Kulsten. Some players had �problems.� Cant Pass anyone? And don�t anyone give me this �ah he needed to be �MANAGED better s*%it! He couldn�t be �managed� by cork either so stop laying that one on Mike. Mike it would seem did have football qualifications some as well as Noel, how else did we get a license? Ok don�t answer that lol! But one thing is true Mike did have a two year contract but shocking as it may seem, he never signed it so is up the swany on that one and tech doesn�t have a leg to stand on but one thing is for sure he did want to try and promote Limerick as manager with something he hadn�t had before, money at a time when it was possible to get quality players! I feel that any �lacking� by Mike that are being thrown at him are totally overboard and unwarranted apart from his (like Noel) lack of communication skills and his amm sort of comb-over J I hope Mike stays on within the club, joint manager anyone? Yes Willie John I have noted that your saying that we own our own ground and this is fantastic news in fact this is the main thing that I love about this takeover. But a Turners X style stands or seated terraces are OUT with regard to our new ground. Leave that crap to the GAA with their �ram them all in, cant see the pitch cos of this person in front of me� policy on stadiums. As I said when the plans for the Pike field came out a year ago, two words, comfort and viewing are the main items when building a stand or terrace when your trying to entice people to come out and see outdoor entertainment. Ok that�s me done, the last of the jerseys in blue M/L (10) XL (2) and white M/L (3) are available at only �25 that�s cost price so PM me if you want one. Ideal for Christmas presents and ill throw in a FREE pin badge�Harvey Norman couldn�t come up with that 1

**LFC in Exile** · 01/12/2004, 1:54 PM

This is my take.

I think Mike has been treated very badly by the incoming administration and I think the fans owe Mike a huge amount. He could have moved to another club after the fine run to the play-offs and avoided the hassle of last season but he stuck with it. I do not think the results of last season can be laid at his door at all. Usually if a team finishes bottom of the league he is fair game for the chop because he picked the team, the style of play etc. However, we had a manager in name only. When you travel to matches with 11 fit players (2 keepers) a manager is pointless. And this feeds back into training etc. What do you tell a guy that doesn't train - "you'll be dropped next week" - when that means you will only have 10 players.

NO'C assembled a fine group of players - however that is not the same as getting them to the play-offs. When MK had the opportunity to manage he did so very effectively.

MK has been very loyal to the club and now the club has not reciprocated.

In contrast, NO'C left the club two weeks before the start of a new season. The club won the League Cup. That made NO'C look good and he took an offer that arose. Nobody begrudged him - but now it suits him to come back here he is. He did the opposite of MK when each had some success. If a better offer comes along again will NO'C jump at that one too?

I welcome the new adminsitration of course. With open arms. This is not ingratitude from fans who are glad their club has been saved. I hope NO'C brings loads of success and I will be roaring on lads and Noel next season. I think everyone should acknowledge how much we owe MK and the loyalty he has shown.

**joeSoap** · 01/12/2004, 2:18 PM

I can see your point on a lot of the above, but what sticks out among all of this for me is the fact that practically nobody but John D and myself seem to feel that his record is not particularly one to be proud of, considering the fact that he used over 30 players, had a pretty decent budget to spend for most of the season, and yet managed to sign quite a lot of deadwood that was very very poor. We also only won 4 games out of 33, and any manager would and should lose their job for such results.

I agree with you that he was loyal to the club, but the club paid him well, and in a lot of ways he was in the comfort zone; If we won and did well he was performing miracles, yet when we lost and were a disgrace, he could hold his hands up and say, "Well, thats not my fault".

I really believe he could be a very good manager in the coming years, just like I think Noel O'Connor will be. His 2 years experience working with the best manager in Irish football (imo) will stand great stead to him, and maybe now its time for Mike to go and learn the ropes somewhere like Noel did.

**sadloserkid** · 01/12/2004, 3:22 PM

Originally Posted by LFC in Exile

This is my take.

I think Mike has been treated very badly by the incoming administration and I think the fans owe Mike a huge amount. He could have moved to another club after the fine run to the play-offs and avoided the hassle of last season but he stuck with it. I do not think the results of last season can be laid at his door at all. Usually if a team finishes bottom of the league he is fair game for the chop because he picked the team, the style of play etc. However, we had a manager in name only. When you travel to matches with 11 fit players (2 keepers) a manager is pointless. And this feeds back into training etc. What do you tell a guy that doesn't train - "you'll be dropped next week" - when that means you will only have 10 players.

NO'C assembled a fine group of players - however that is not the same as getting them to the play-offs. When MK had the opportunity to manage he did so very effectively.

MK has been very loyal to the club and now the club has not reciprocated.

In contrast, NO'C left the club two weeks before the start of a new season. The club won the League Cup. That made NO'C look good and he took an offer that arose. Nobody begrudged him - but now it suits him to come back here he is. He did the opposite of MK when each had some success. If a better offer comes along again will NO'C jump at that one too?

I welcome the new adminsitration of course. With open arms. This is not ingratitude from fans who are glad their club has been saved. I hope NO'C brings loads of success and I will be roaring on lads and Noel next season. I think everyone should acknowledge how much we owe MK and the loyalty he has shown.

100% agree with all of this. Best post in the whole thread.

**willie john** · 01/12/2004, 4:24 PM

Did He Sign His Contrat???????? No .would He Sign It With The New People??????????done A Good Job??????????not Bad.did He Get Paid??????????yes He Did.do The New People Have A Choice Who They Want .yes They Do They Are Paying The Bills .is Noc A Good Choice ?????????? Yes The Best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Clones Road Cas** · 01/12/2004, 4:51 PM

Do I like Punctuation??????????????????????????????????????? ?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.................... .................::::::::::::::::::::Awh kinda.

**Nempton** · 01/12/2004, 5:35 PM

Joe Soap said,

what sticks out among all of this for me is the fact that practically nobody but John D and myself seem to feel that his record is not particularly one to be proud of, considering the fact that he used over 30 players, had a pretty decent budget to spend for most of the season, and yet managed to sign quite a lot of deadwood that was very very poor. We also only won 4 games out of 33, and any manager would and should lose their job for such results.

I understand that frustration when you say that you feel that people are not acknowledging what you are saying. SLK and myself have felt like that in this thread that people are ignoring certain points that we have made. To respond to what you said I'm just going to quote what I said earlier in this thread and add on another point after that...

When looking at the facts its important to take into account all factors. Yes, Mike did not do the business this season but then again neither did Noel in his time of charge of Limerick in the league. I think the daggers have come out too easily for Mike's blood just because there is a new investor with money. We all knew this season was going to be a disaster, have we all forgotten why players left? The committee failed in its job to provide Mike with the resources and were lucky to succeed in getting a club licence. Mike had almost no time to gather a group of players together as well as us having no pre-season. At the start of the campaign he had a budget $1000, which John Purcell told to everyone. As for him signing 30 players, how many of them were retained as the season went on

Now I'm curious to know when the extra cash was provided to him for his budget, you said some time during the season. You might clarify when and from whom the money came from, I'm genuinely curious. I do know for a fact that at the start of the season that Mike had very little cash to work with. One player, whom many here would consider a very good player was offered €100, a considerable drop in what he was already getting and even at that Mike could not guarantee him that he could give him a €100. Now how was Mike suppose to sign decent players on such a budget and let us not forget the shortage of time he had also. No one is defending last seasons record, of course it was poor we finished last. But it seems to be a case of selective memory for some, let's not forget the overall picture when it comes to last season. In this incident what is the sore point for some of us is the treatment of Mike, I know he is the victim of football circumstances but here's one simple point, why was he not informed before the end of the season that he was not been retained as manager of the senior team? This whole thing could have been handled a lot better than what it was and I don't think anyone coukd disagree with that.

Does mismanagement involve the obtaining of a ground a club can call home? With proper training facilities, a proper structure, guarantees that players will get paid? Does mismanagement involve the putting together of a plan which assures re-election, a new squad of decent players? I for one don't think so.

Just to reply back to this point. All that you say in the above quote is of course fantastic for the club. I think you missed the point that I was making though especially when using the example of Fianna Fail and the health system. But after been recently informed about what is happening and seeing the bigger picture with the club I think I can understand why you did because its clear you knew more about what was going on than I did. As the man who knows everything that goes on would say, "Say nothing 'til you hear more". I was worried about certain personnel and their style of management, but apparently I believe now I should be more confident about the forth coming season and those involved within the club. The next few months will be interesting to watch how things develop for Limerick FC and I for one will be watching quite closely.

**JohnD** · 01/12/2004, 6:10 PM

God We certainly would be top of the League if we were Talking for Points rather than scoring goals!!.

Lads Face realities:
1. New Ground ..Who would have thought this a few months back.
2. Cash Injection.
3. New Players... to Replace some of the Muppets we had last year
4..Hope for the Future as against plodding along

We won 4 matches with a �4000 per week budget how in God's name can a man expect to be re-emplyed with stats like that. Some of the contributers need to get out into the big bad world a bit and leave the Hallowed/Sheltered halls of College Life behind

to see what Real Life is Like.

At Work You:
1.Sign A Contract (always a Good Idea ...Forget that one Mike did ya???)
2.Perform in a job
3.Get Paid for doing it
4.Hope for a bonus if you do well ,

or face the consequences if not.

Mike did get paid, was offered a new, albeit not the one he wanted, role. Turned it down ..thats it It's over ..GET OVER IT ...

....How long more can we debate these obvious facts.

JohnD

**joeSoap** · 01/12/2004, 6:49 PM

Well said John...well said.

**LFC in Exile** · 01/12/2004, 7:03 PM

Originally Posted by JohnD

Some of the contributers need to get out into the big bad world a bit and leave the Hallowed/Sheltered halls of College Life behind

to see what Real Life is Like.

Oh dear. Lets park that one.

One thing straight - give me the choice between the new administration, a new old home, a future etc and going on the way we were with MK then you know what I'd pick and a blind dog with a mallet up his ar se would make the right decision. This is not ingratitude. But it is still possible to make the point that MK was treated badly and served the club well and to have reservations about the new boss. I don't think anyone - even welcoming NO'C - would deny that opinions ina football club are vital and good.

Taking your analogy about the workplace - it is not a good one because yes MK was paid, yes the results didn't materialise. But if you turned up for work tomorrow (I don't know what you do) and were told you might not get paid. The people you need to do thework aren't available and the company is rapidly going down the tubes would you stay or would you get straight down the recruitment agency. Well, MK stayed.

**sadloserkid** · 02/12/2004, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by JohnD

Lads Face realities:
1. New Ground ..Who would have thought this a few months back.
2. Cash Injection.
3. New Players... to Replace some of the Muppets we had last year
4..Hope for the Future as against plodding along

Now now John, I think you're forgetting that some of us here have to work in the public eye, dealing with people on a gegular basis.

You also forgot

5. Replace existing manager citing inexperience and thes eskew the traditional logic of seeking an experienced replacement to appoint somebody with an absolutely horrendous league record (last and third last in two seasons if anybody needs reminding). Cetainly there should have been more than one person considered for the job.

The point that I think nobody has addressed here is why points 1-4 can only come to fruition with NOC at the helm. Anybody would think that his appointment was a condition of the new board taking over and we were supposed to be scrambling around to make sure nothing effects this...

**joeSoap** · 02/12/2004, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by sadloserkid

5. Replace existing manager citing inexperience and thes eskew the traditional logic of seeking an experienced replacement to appoint somebody with an absolutely horrendous league record (last and third last in two seasons if anybody needs reminding). Cetainly there should have been more than one person considered for the job.

I'm sure there was more than one person considered for the job.

I also thought that the team Noel O'Connor was last involved with finished second in the Premier Division of the EL this season, third in it last season, and had its most successful European run ever.And it wasn't all down to Dolan, as John O'Flynn, George O'Callaghan, Billy Woods and a few others might tell you.

trevor · 02/12/2004, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by joeSoap

I'm sure there was more than one person considered for the job.

I also thought that the team Noel O'Connor was last involved with finished second in the Premier Division of the EL this season, third in it last season, and had its most successful European run ever.And it wasn't all down to Dolan, as John O'Flynn, George O'Callaghan, Billy Woods and a few others might tell you.

George O'Callaghan would probably tell you it was all down to himself.

**sadloserkid** · 02/12/2004, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by joeSoap

I'm sure there was more than one person considered for the job.

Well to be totally honest I'm not sure that there was. We'll have to agree to disagree on that.

Originally Posted by joeSoap

I also thought that the team Noel O'Connor was last involved with finished second in the Premier Division of the EL this season, third in it last season, and had its most successful European run ever.And it wasn't all down to Dolan, as John O'Flynn, George O'Callaghan, Billy Woods and a few others might tell you.

All true and all positive I'll agree. But for a team managed by a man you've cited as the best in the League not to win anything (bar the Munster Senior Cup) could be heralded as failure.

As well as that I don't think it's fair to pay much heed to what Messers. O'Flynn, Woods and 'No to foreigners' O'Callaghan say to you. It's like when we talk to the parents of Limerick players we don't go 'Your son's crap,' even when he is.

Anyway, Noel is basically in situ now and I wish him the best of luck. I can also assure you that he has my full support (albeit support from another country by the time the football starts). I just don't swallow the argument that Mike had to go because he's a talentless novice and that a grizzled, proven, experienced manager like Noel is what we needed.

*checks syntax*

Allow me to clarify that last point, I do think we need a grizzled, proven and experienced manager. I just think that while Noel has some (but not a whole lot)of experience he's totally unproven as a manager and not in the least grizzled!

Hopefully he'll fulfill his potential and it'll work out but this is not the fool-proof, success assured appointment that it's being heralded as.

**joeSoap** · 02/12/2004, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by sadloserkid

but this is not the fool-proof, success assured appointment that it's being heralded as.

I wouldn't say that his appointment is being heralded in that way. What is being heralded is the new beginning for the club, ie ground, new directors and a fresh start.
There will be a plan put down for success both on and off the field within a dedicated but realistic timeframe, and thats what success should be rated upon.

**sadloserkid** · 02/12/2004, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by joeSoap

What is being heralded is the new beginning for the club, ie ground, new directors and a fresh start.
There will be a plan put down for success both on and off the field within a dedicated but realistic timeframe, and thats what success should be rated upon.

Believe it or not, I'm in total agreement with you on that. Finally resolution (and it only took 3 pages!)