Managerial appointments;The All-Ireland winning management in football and hurling have both been rubber-stamped to continue in 2008, with Kilkenny manager Brian Cody set for a 10th season at the helm.
Cody has guided Kilkenny to five All-Irelands in nine seasons, with the coming campaign being a second crack at the three-in-a-row, following on from the failed attempt in 2004. The same management team, including selectors Martin Fogarty and Michael Dempsey, were also retained last Monday evening.
The panel go on holidays to Thailand and Dubai in the New Year before resuming full-scale training. However, it's unlikely that current captain Henry Shefflin will be available at least until the latter stages of the league following the cruciate knee injury he sustained in the All-Ireland final.
The leading candidate for the captaincy, James "Cha" Fitzpatrick, is another on the long-term absentee list but despite having to do without two outstanding players, the Ballyhale Shamrocks club managed to retain the county title and face Birr in Sunday's Leinster club championship semi-final at Nowlan Park.
"It was a phenomenal achievement in winning the county final without the two lads," said Cody. "Henry's cruciate injury is long term so it will be at least four or five months before we can get an update. "Cha" is not as long term and can expect to be available come the New Year."
Meanwhile, the Munster Council are expected to rubber-stamp Pat O'Shea's reappointment as Kerry football manager after provincial chairman Jimmy O'Gorman revealed an official announcement is due before Saturday.
It is envisaged that there will be no problems in allowing O'Shea to continue his dual mandate as Kerry boss and provincial games promotion manager with the Munster Council.
"The process it that Kerry have to formally apply but I'm sure that it will be considered favourably," said former Munster council chairman Seán Fogarty.
"We would anticipate that there will be no problems and we're looking forward to Pat returning to the Kerry job," said Kerry county board chairman Seán Walsh.
