When talking about football management to Seán Boylan, an obvious question to ask the Meath football boss facing into his 22nd year at the helm is: "Any thoughts about retirement?"

Listening, however, to the most successful and enduring manager in Gaelic football history enthuse boyishly about the game he loves renders any such enquiry as superfluous.

As he puts it himself, "I was as excited and anxious about the decision by Monday's county board meeting to reinstate me as manager as I was in October of 1982 when I was first given the job. It has been an incredible time for me. All those great games, great memories."

When asked to recall special moments during a career that has so far yielded four All-Irelands, eight Leinster titles and two National League titles the Meath boss was non-committal.

"I would hate to put one team ahead of another or single out any player ahead of another. It has been a united effort by great Meath sides and players. We are a county who love to win as much as anybody."

Boylan - voted to stay on as manager by an overwhelming 69-19 vote at Monday's meeting - adds: "It is a great honour. I have always taken it year by year, but I would have had no problems had Eamonn (Barry, the only other candidate) got it.

"He is a good footballing man and has done the county a great service."

Meanwhile, Leinster hurling manager Noel Skehan and his selectors have announced the same team that beat Ulster in the semi-final for Saturday's Interprovincial final against Connacht in Rome (1 p.m. Irish-time).

This means that JJ Delaney is still out with injury and Dublin's Stephen Hiney is retained in the left half back position. There are, however, enforced changes among the substitutes in a travelling panel of 22 players.

Wexford duo Darragh Ryan and Declan Ruth and Wicklow's Don Dyland are all unable to travel for the game.

Kilkenny's Martin Comerford, Wexford's David O'Connor, Offaly's Brendan Murphy and Laois star Paul Cuddy have been drafted into the substitutes list.

One can only assume that the absence of an outcry from hurling fans at the very idea of exporting the final further reflects the dwindling interest in the interprovincial series.

LEINSTER:J McGarry (Kilkenny); M Kavanagh (Kilkenny), N Hickey (Kilkenny), D Franks (Offaly); L Dunne (Wexford), B Whelahan (Offaly), S Hiney (Dublin); C Keaney (Dublin), D Lyng (Kilkenny); T Walsh (Kilkenny), J Hoyne (Kilkenny) R Hannify (Offaly); R Jacob (Wexford), H Shefflin (Kilkenny), B Carroll (Offaly). Subs: B Mullins (Offaly); J Young (Laois); G Hannify (Offalu); P Cuddy (Laois); B Murphy (Offaly); D O'Connor (Wexford); M Comerford (Kilkenny).

A decision on the playing of the Munster club hurling championhip, following an appeal by the Waterford county Board for a postponement, will be announced today.

The Waterford champions are due to play Limerick holders Patrickswell in the semi-final on Sunday next, but Mount Sion and Ballygunner - who finished all square in last weekend's Waterford decider - are due to replay next Saturday.

November 16th is the likely date for the semi-final against the Limerick champions if the Munster Council facilitate Waterford.

Meanwhile, Tipperary hurling champions Toomevara and Newtownshandrum of Cork are fixed to play the other semi-final in Thurles next Sunday.