Liam Griffin will not be involved with the Wexford hurlers in the coming season. The news emerges just days after team manager Tony Dempsey was nominated to contest the forthcoming general election.
Griffin, who managed the side that won the 1996 All-Ireland but withdrew in the aftermath for personal reasons, had agreed to become re-involved during last year's championship.
After a poor Leinster campaign, Wexford progressed to the All-Ireland semi-final and nearly beat eventual champions Tipperary before losing in a replay.
"I decided after last August's defeat by Tipperary that I wouldn't be involved again this year. I was asked to think about it and I did but have confirmed my decision and informed Tony about it."
Dempsey paid tribute to the departing Griffin. "I never had a problem asking for Liam's assistance, as his knowledge of hurling and experience could not be bought. Hopefully I will be able to have him address the squad on occasions in the lead-up to games."
There has been speculation that the actions of the county board in scheduling a championship match involving Griffin's club, St Mary's, for a Sunday when he was abroad on holidays lay behind his decision.
"That's not true. There were many reasons why I decided to step down and while I was annoyed by that at the time, I'd already indicated that I was not going to be involved again this year. I've a lot of time for Mick Kinsella (Wexford county secretary) and wouldn't have walked away just because of a row like that.
"My club team has not been going that well and I feel it needs more of a focus. I want to concentrate on that. Time is also a factor. I'm busy at work and have to consider my own situation."
Griffin believes that Dempsey's decision to seek election to the Dáil won't be a setback to the hurling team. "I don't think Tony was going to take the (hurling) job for more than two years anyway and so if he gets elected - and I think he's in with a great chance - it's not going to make any difference to the hurlers."
Meanwhile, Dublin champions Na Fianna and their Leinster club final conquerors Rathnew of Wicklow will be in attendance when the Leinster Council considers the fracas at the end of last month's replayed final in Newbridge.
A brawl erupted between Rathnew's Richard Dignam and Na Fianna's Stephen McGlinchey. They were joined by a number of others, including a man who aimed a kick at Dignam. Initially thought to be a spectator, he is understood to be a member of Na Fianna. All three are expected to attend tonight's meeting.
Although the incidents weren't noticed by that many after the match, TG4 broadcast them live. Fortunately for the provincial council, referee Pat Fox was present and able to include the disorder in his report, thus saving the council the need to launch an investigation.
Michael Walsh, the former Kilkenny All-Ireland winning goalkeeper, is believed to have staked his future on the turnout at Thursday night's training session.
Disappointed by the poor turnout at a session last Sunday - when only 14 out of 42 panellists attended - Walsh says that at least 25 players are needed for a proper training session. "I cannot understand the lack of pride in wearing the county jersey. It's very disappointing with the National League just a few weeks away and the Kehoe Cup on February 4th." He will decide on his future after Thursday's session.
Two referees and a handballer have been honoured with the Eircell Vodaphone monthly awards for January at a lunch in Blarney, Co Cork, yesterday. Pat O'Connor of Limerick took charge of last September's All-Ireland hurling final, his second, between Tipperary and Galway and is one of the game's top officials. Cork's Michael Collins is one of a new generation of football referees and officiated at his first All-Ireland final last year when Galway defeated Meath.
Handballer Tony Healy, also from Cork, is honoured for an outstanding year in which he came back from serious illness to win All-Ireland 40x20 singles title for the third year running as well as the 40x20 doubles, along with partner Stephen Palmer. He also qualified for the US circuit.
Denis Walsh, the former Cork dual star, will have his first competitive outing in his managerial career when Waterford footballers take on Tipperary in the semi-final of the McGrath Cup competition at Dungarvan on Sunday.
A senior hurling tournament match between Waterford and Kilkenny takes place at Walsh Park in Waterford next Sunday at 2.30.
WATERFORD (SF v Tipperary): P Houlihan; M Crotty, M Fitzgerald, K Coffey; T Dunphy, J Hearn, B Wall; R Power, J Hennessey; C Power, L Dalton, C Watts; G Power, G Hurney, F Halpin.
