Gray told The Courier Treacy’s style of coaching didn’t suit the group currently at the club.

“The main reason being there was a bit of unhappiness with Glenn’s style and the way he was coaching from the players,” Gray said.

“It was either going to be one or the other. If we lost our players, at this time of year, you don’t want to be doing that.”

Gray said the decision to release Treacy wasn’t made lightly.

“It’s disappointing to see I’ve been sacked considering it has been a collaborative approach from a coaching point of view.” - Glenn Treacy

“The leadership group of the seniors and a few players in the seniors approached me (after the Bungaree game) and didn’t really give me an ultimatum, but aired their concerns and I had to take action from there,” Gray said.

Treacy said his sacking - in his first full season in charge - came as an “extreme shock”.

“In regards to my coaching, I’ve never once had discussions about any issues so I am seeking legal advice,” he said.

“There are a couple of things I need to work through with my lawyer.”

Treacy said all coaching decisions he had made throughout the year had been in consultation with assistant Stephen Frys and reserves coach Nick McCulloch.

“A few players have been unhappy but that’s the same with every club. We’ve got a lot of players and club people who are very happy with my approach, my coaching and there are also players who have shared my frustrations with numbers at training,” he said.

“It’s disappointing to see I’ve been sacked considering it has been a collaborative approach from a coaching point of view.”

Treacy will be replaced at the helm by Frys - the senior captain - who will have his first match-day experience on Saturday  against Dunnstown.

Smythesdale, which changed its name and brand from Illabarook in the off-season, has won just one game since joining the Central Highlands competition in 2011.

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