Fergal Hartley has emerged as the early favourite to replace Davy Fitzgerald as Waterford senior hurling manager.
The former Clare goalkeeper this week called time on his stay with the Deise, where he has been at the helm since replacing Justin McCarthy during the 2008 championship.
The side he took over went on to end their long wait for an All-Ireland final appearance that year, though might have wished they had not after getting absolutely mauled by Kilkenny on final day.
The Deise have gone on to reach the All-Ireland semi-finals in each of their other three years under Fitzgerald’s tenure – being beaten by the eventual Liam McCarthy winners on each occasion. However, he has now stood aside for a new man to try and take them further.
And that man could be Ballygunner's Hartley, the ex-Waterford centre back who has looked after the county’s U21 side in 2011. He has been linked with a promotion to the senior job, along with selectors Tom Feeney and Derek McGrath.
Liam Sheedy, the man who led Tipperary to last year’s All-Ireland title, has also surprisingly been linked with the role, while it has been reported that Michael Ryan, outgoing selector Paraic Fanning and Hartley's club-mate Stephen Frampton are also in contention.
The county board will meet this coming Monday evening to discuss candidates.