Jimmy Barry-Murphy has stepped down as manager of the Cork hurlers. The expected news came last night after a meeting of the county executive which was informed that Barry-Murphy had conveyed confirmation of his decision to county secretary Frank Murphy yesterday afternoon.

"The Cork county board executive announces with regret the resignation of Jimmy Barry-Murphy as the Cork senior hurling team's coach and selector. The county board executive wishes to express its deep gratitude and appreciation of the distinguished and successful service that Jimmy has given the county as a player, one of the greatest exponents of hurling and football, and more recently over the past eight years as Cork minor hurling team coach and selector and senior hurling team coach and selector.

"The executive committee on behalf of the county board, his selectorial colleagues, the players, members and supporters convey grateful thanks for a job well done to one of Cork's greatest sporting heroes.

"The appointment of a new coach will be on the agenda for the next meeting of the Cork county board on November 14th."

According to county PRO Pat Horgan who released the statement, the identity of the new manager will be revealed at that meeting next week. Among the front-runners are Bertie Og Murphy who managed the county to two All-Ireland under-21 titles in 1997 and '98 and who was a senior selector for the past year, Tom Cashman who has been Barry-Murphy's right-hand man over the past five years and maybe Seanie O'Leary, a selector in the All-Ireland winning year and a successful coach with divisional side Imokilly whom he trained to two county titles.

The outgoing manager is not commenting on his decision for the time being beyond expressing relief that the matter has been finally settled after weeks of rumour and speculation.

Barry-Murphy is bringing down the curtain on eight consecutive years of intercounty involvement as he managed the Cork minors for the three years before taking over the seniors. If the highlight was undoubtedly the winning of the All-Ireland, the overall achievement of returning Cork to the top table was a major one given the circumstances in which he took over.

Five years ago the team needed an overhaul and the bulk of Barry-Murphy's successful minors were not ready to graduate to the senior side. But his appointment was well received, both because of the immense respect he had earned as a player and his talent as a coach. Nonetheless the makeshift side assembled for his first championship match in 1996 went down by 16 points to Limerick who became the first team in 70 years to beat Cork at home in the championship.

The critical and at times abusive treatment to which he was subjected affected Barry-Murphy quite deeply but he persevered and as the younger talent came on stream - bolstered by All-Ireland success at under-21 level in 1997 and '98 - he rebuilt the team and made incremental progress over the following two years.

In 1998, Cork won the National League but were heavily beaten in the championship by Clare so a year later, Barry-Murphy and his selectors were under considerable pressure to deliver. His selection for the first championship match against Waterford raised eyebrows as it contained five debutants.

The young side more than justified the faith shown in them by winning, somewhat against the odds and general expectation. Barry-Murphy had rarely shown so much emotion as he did after that day's victory. The new-look team went unchanged through the championship and crowned the year by defeating hot favourites Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.

Last August's unexpected defeat by Offaly appeared to dismay Barry-Murphy to the extent that rumours of his resignation began to circulate quite soon afterwards. He kept his silence on the matter but each passing week seemed to harden the rumour until it became official fact yesterday.

Michael Bond is back in Offaly for his second stint as manager of the county hurling team. The Offaly County Board reappointed him last night and his selectors are Paudge Mulhare (St Rynagh's) and Pat Moloughney, which means that the management team which steered Offaly to their fourth All-Ireland senior hurling title in 1998 is back at the helm.

In 1998, Bond was appointed in the middle of the season at a time of crisis in Offaly hurling following the resignation of Babs Keating as manager and the team's dismal display in the Leinster final against Kilkenny. Then, against all the odds, Offaly defeated Clare after three memorable matches and then beat Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.

Bond stepped down after Offaly's defeat by Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final in 1999. He was succeeded by Pat Fleury who led the county to the All-Ireland final this year but resigned afterwards.