Dublin hurling panel deciminated as Simon Lambert rages at “disrespectful” exit

The Dublin hurling panel has undergone major reconstruction.

Some have left by choice, others have been forced out, but as the dust settles ahead of 2016 Ger Cunningham's squad has lost some very prominent figures. The headline departure is 2013 All-Star Danny Sutcliffe, who has left by his own volition. The wing-forward had travelled with the squad to Boston for the Fenway Classic but, having subsequently informed Cunningham of his intention to quit the panel, he was not at last night's squad meeting. Also missing were Simon Lambert and Alan Nolan, who were deemed surplus to requirements by former Cork selector Cunningham. Lambert, for one, is not going quietly. The Ballyboden telling Independent.ie and the42.ie that his exclusion from the squad was "disrespectful".

"I'm disappointed to be left out, considering that I've been involved for the last eight years," he said. "I came back from a career-threatening injury in 2013, missed all of 2014 and worked myself back into contention, starting both of the Galway games this year. “The reasons given to me were, in my opinion, disrespectful from where I’ve come from," he added.

“But look, I’m 27 and young enough still to potentially offer a lot to the team in the near future.”