Who will step into the shoes of Limerick boss TJ Ryan?

This evening’s meeting of the Limerick County Board is expected to mark the start of the search for a replacement for TJ Ryan, with the Garryspillane clubman all but confirming his departure as Limerick senior hurling manager after Saturday night’s qualifier defeat to Clare.

There is no shortage of likely candidates to replace Ryan. John Kiely steered the county’s U21s to an All- Ireland title last year and was widely expected to replace John Allen as manager when the Corkman stepped down ahead of the 2014 season.

However, Kiely is in the middle of the current U21 campaign - Limerick face Waterford in the Munster semi-final in that grade tomorrow night in Walsh Park - and may wish to focus on that task until the end of the campaign.