GAELIC GAMES: Mike McNamara is in line to take over as manager of the Offaly hurlers.The outgoing Galway trainer, who held the same position with Clare during the most successful era in that county's history, met Offaly officials last night and a decision is expected before the end of the week.

Although both parties declined to comment on the matter yesterday, it has been learned that they have met more than once to discuss one of the trickiest jobs on the intercounty scene.

When the post is filled, it will be the seventh change of management for the county's senior hurlers in the past six years.

One well-placed source said that a three-year appointment was on offer - which would be unusual in a county that hasn't retained a manager for two full years since Eamonn Cregan stepped down in 1996.

McNamara's current status is in limbo, with the Galway management up for grabs after Noel Lane's two seasons in charge.

Lane is still in contention to continue as county manager, but even before the Offaly position became a possibility McNamara had not given any commitment about his future intentions in Galway.

Taking charge of the Offaly hurlers would be an even more difficult task, given that the great side that won two All-Irelands in the 1990s has been slowly breaking up and is in transition.

But with young players coming through and some of them part of Birr's All-Ireland club-winning exploits last March, there is hope for the future.

A Scariff publican, McNamara's rigorous training techniques were an integral part of Clare's emergence under the management of Ger Loughnane in the mid-1990s.

The venue for much of the work, Crusheen, became synonymous with the intense preparation that shaped the team's implacable personality.

After disappointing championships in 1998 and '99, McNamara and his fellow selector, Tony Considine, stepped down, leaving Loughnane as manager in what would be his final year in 2000.

That autumn former Galway All-Ireland hurler Noel Lane asked McNamara to be part of his bid to secure that county's managerial position.

The following year Galway sprang a major surprise by eliminating All-Ireland champions Kilkenny at the semi-final stage, but, despite entering the final against Tipperary as favourites, they lost out narrowly.

Lane's and McNamara's second year was marked by controversy and was not as successful. Their third selector, John Connolly, resigned, and a row over the decision of Alan Kerins to pursue a dual career caused tensions last spring.

Galway lost the All-Ireland quarter-final, ironically to Clare, thus triggering a review of the management's position.

Offaly's most recent manager, Fr Tom Fogarty, originally expressed interest in staying on for another year, but the county board decided to cast its net further.

Meanwhile, John Conran has been confirmed as Wexford's new senior hurling manager.

As expected, Martin Quigley and inter-county referee Dickie Murphy will join Conran as selectors.