GAA president Nickey Brennan has admitted the four-year experiment that is the Tommy Murphy Cup appears to be doomed. Motions may be heard at next month's special congress to allow Division Four teams beaten in the first round of the championship to enter the qualifiers.

Several counties, including Wicklow, Clare and Offaly, were denied a route through the backdoor this season as a result of their relegation to the restructured Division Four of the National Football League. It meant their championship campaign ended after one defeat.

"I can't say categorically but I would say if we have everyone in the qualifiers the Tommy Murphy Cup is dead in the water," said Brennan.

Asked why the concept, which was designed to give so-called weaker counties the opportunity to play for silverware, didn't work out, Brennan said: "I don't know. I personally would be disappointed. I think the concept of the Tommy Murphy Cup, let's be honest about it, the final (Wicklow beat Antrim) was a good final. There was plenty of interest in the two teams once they got to the final. But it was very lukewarm along the way.

"There is no point in me trying to camouflage it. It gave teams and players an opportunity to play in Croke Park that might not otherwise be the case."

Tipperary have acknowledged that former All-Ireland winning player and manager Nicky English will not be a candidate for the vacant managerial position in the county after the retirement of Michael Keating.

Asked about the situation, county chair John Costigan said: "Having discussed with Nicky the possibility of becoming involved in the management of the team, I can regretfully tell you that he will not be a candidate for the vacant position."

Although the speculation had quietened in recent weeks, English - this newspaper's hurling analyst - had been top of most short lists as soon as the vacancy arose. But English lives in Dublin and is heavily committed in terms of his career and a young family although according to Costigan, he will be available to help out from time to time.

"He's passionate about Tipp hurling and has served the county and the game of hurling with distinction but because of family and business commitments and his distance from Thurles Nicky hasn't been able to give the time necessary at this moment. There may be a possibility in the future that he'll be in a position to reconsider."

Rising Armagh star Kevin Dyas is the latest GAA player to answer the call of Australian Rules. Dyas has travelled down under to begin a month-long trial with top AFL club Collingwood.