With the news that Davy Fitzgerald will not be seeking another year as Waterford senior hurling manager comes the inevitable speculation that he will return to his native Clare, taking over the position from Ger O’Loughlin, who stepped down at the end of this summer’s championship campaign.
Despite conflicting reports today, Fitzgerald has decided he's taken Waterford as far as he can: he took over in June 2008 after Justin McCarthy left the position mid-season, and went on to guide Waterford to a place in the All-Ireland final that year – before guiding them to the Munster title in 2010.
Yet the 7-19 to 0-19 defeat to Tipperary in this year’s Munster signalled the end, even though Waterford bounced back to beat Galway and set up the All-Ireland semi-final date with Kilkenny.
But there is also an unexpected vacancy in Limerick now as well after Donal O’Grady announced he too would not be seeking another term.
O’Grady only came in for one year in the first place, yet Limerick were eager to keep him on for another two years, after his remarkable turnaround that included winning the Division Two title and a good showing in the Munster championship.
Finally, Jimmy Barry Murphy tonight ratified as Cork’s new hurling manager, 11 years after he last held the position.
He was given a three-year term along with selectors Ger Cunningham, Johnny Crowley, Kieran Kingston and Seanie McGrath.