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 yesterday, Fitzgerald has decided that he’s taken Waterford as far as he could.

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.

Finally, Jimmy Barry Murphy was last night 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.