THUMBS UP FOR HURLING BOSSES

With the exception of Cork all other managers have been given green light to continue in their managerial hotseat

- BY KARL O'KANE

IT looks like a case of very much as you were on the inter-county hurling managerial front for next season.

The only manager to depart to date is Cork's Pat Ryan, while of the 11 counties competing in the Liam MacCarthy Cup next year, just two will have outside managers.

And it's probably no coincidence they are the two lowest ranked sides in Offaly and Kildare - managed by Galway's Johnny Kelly and Kilkenny’s Brian Dowling, respectively.

Limerick’s John Kiely dwarfs everyone else in terms of years served with nine under his belt and five All-Ireland titles and six Munster crowns to his name.

The 2018 All-Ireland victory over Galway - in Kiely’s second year in charge - was Limerick’s first in 45 years, going all the way back to 1973. Kiely’s latest term runs until the end of the 2026 season.

Brian Lohan has a lengthier agreement, which will run until the end of the 2028 season.

Provided he completes it, Lohan (inset) will have been Clare manager for nine years in a row, having started out in the 2020 season.