The only remaining pieces in the Dublin football management jigsaw concern the identities of new manager Tom Carr's selectors. Carr's accession to the manager's job depends on next Monday's county committee meeting but it is expected that the recommendation of the sub-committee will be accepted by the extraordinary meeting.
Last Monday's scheduled monthly committee meeting significantly voted for a proposal from the sub-committee that an original decision to refer back the appointment of the new manager to the clubs be overturned. Given that the margin in favour of the proposal was substantial, next week's recommendation looks certain to succeed.
As is customary, the new manager will be allowed to choose his own selectors - who will be revealed on Monday - and there has been no pressure exerted to accommodate other contenders for the manager's position.
Although the story of Carr's appointment broke on Monday night, he was not actually offered the job until Tuesday. This was the culmination of a long, arduous process of elimination. The subcommittee charged with the task - Mick Seevers, Gerry Brady, chairman John Bailey and secretary John Costello - met on several occasions including one marathon encounter which lasted for nine hours.
Six candidates - Alan Larkin, Gay O'Driscoll, John O'Leary, Dom Twomey, Declan Douglas and Carr - were interviewed and Larkin, O'Leary and Carr recalled for a second interview.
Carr's is the only name on that list which didn't come through the process of being nominated by the clubs. He is believed to have been informally approached about his availability shortly after Dublin's defeat by Meath in last June's championship. He expressed an interest but the matter was dropped when Mickey Whelan decided to stay on for the third year of his appointment.
One of the conditions of Carr's interest in the post was that it be kept out of the public arena and as a result, his recommended appointment and its momentum have come as a surprise.
Chief reservations about both Carr's and O'Leary's candidacy centred on their comparative youth and possible friendships with some of the current players. Carr was, however, a more distant figure during his playing days and is expected to have little difficulty imposing his authority dispassionately. How players respond after that will be watched with interest.
An intense character who had many run-ins with authority as a player, Carr's selection is a daring decision by county officials with whom he can be expected to have more than a share of disagreement in the years ahead.
For the second time in a fortnight the Oireachtas hurling clash between Wexford and Limerick has been postponed. It was rained off in New Ross two weeks ago, refixed for the same venue this Sunday, but Limerick were successful in their application to Wexford for a postponement because of the Munster club hurling championship final between Patrickswell and Clarecastle on the same day.
