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Is Davy Fitz getting ready to lace up his boots again? ©INPHO/James Crombie
Merry-go-round

Trading places: Munster counties scramble for managers

We take a look at the front-runners for the province’s three vacant hurling posts.

MUNSTER HURLING’S DRAMATIC facelift is set to continue in the coming weeks with three more counties on the verge of appointing a new senior manager.

As front-runners emerge in Clare, Limerick and Waterford, we take a look at the main contenders for each position and the next steps in the appointment process.

Davy Fitzgerald (Clare)

The two-time All-Ireland winning goalkeeper is being touted as the prohibitive front-runner in the race to succeed Ger O’Loughlin in Clare. Fitzgerald’s record with Waterford over the past three seasons is sure to appeal to the county board, and the man himself has previously indicated that he would relish the chance to manage a team closer to home.

What’s more, Fitzgerald also appears ready to come out of retirement to help his former club Sixmilebridge in their bid to win the county championship. With first-choice goalkeeper Derek Fahy sidelined through injury,  Rusty Chaplin has asked the 40-year-old stopper to return to the panel. However, the ‘Bridge manager told Clare FM earlier today that Fitzgerald is not guaranteed in starting place in the forthcoming championship semi.

Who else is there? There doesn’t appear to be anybody else in the running at the moment, but that’s subject to change. Once the county board ratify an appointment committee, they will be free to approach other candidates as they see fit.

Next step? The appointment committee is due to be selected and ratified by the county board tonight.

Ciarán Carey (Limerick)

The three-time All-Star is the hot favourite to make the step up from Donal O’Grady’s backroom team into the hotseat. Carey, who won two Munster titles as a player, has previously managed the county’s U21 and camogie teams.

Speaking at the announcement of the GAA’s Charity of the Year this morning, Limerick captain Gavin O’Mahoney said that the Patrickswell man’s thorough knowledge of Limerick hurling makes him a stand-out candidate.

Ciarán would attend a couple of hundred club matches in the county every year and I think that is very important. He would know every player from 14, 15 up. I think you need someone like that. Straight away he knows the base that he has and the players he has to work with so he can concentrate on other things then.

Who else is there? Carey’s fellow selectors last season, TJ Ryan and Pat Heffernan, were also linked with the post following O’Grady’s departure. If the county board choose to go for an outsider, former Cork boss John Allen is thought to be the most likely option.

Next step? The county board met two weeks ago to discuss the appointment process, which is expected to conclude within the next few weeks.

Jason Ryan (Waterford)

Although a Waterford native, the Wexford football manager is very much a left-field candidate. If he is chosen, Waterford will hope to also secure the services of former Kilkenny keeper James McGarry who would most likely look after training and coaching, leaving Ryan to focus on man management.

Who else is there? It appears that the surname Ryan is a prerequisite for the job. Carlow manager Kevin Ryan and De La Salle man Michael Ryan are also believed to be interested.

Next step? The county’s six-man appointment committee has started to make contact with candidates, according to a report in the Sunday Independent.

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