Managerial moves: Four more teams tumbled out of the championship last weekend leaving the future of another four intercounty managers up in the air.
The two-year term of Tipperary hurling manager Ken Hogan came to a premature end on Sunday. With 10 minutes to go they led Galway but a late push saw Conor Hayes's team progress to the semi-final against Kilkenny on August 21st.
Although Tipperary county secretary Michael O'Brien refused to comment yesterday, Hogan would be expected to get another term if he seeks it.
"That decision is out of my jurisdiction and up to the county board now," said Hogan yesterday. "I suppose you can never plan early enough for 2006 but for now the club championship will continue in Tipperary and I will go and watch the under-21s play Cork in the Munster final on Wednesday night.
"I haven't given my future much thought nor have I discussed it with my family. I have a small child and this is done on a voluntary basis, as there is no payment for managers in Tipperary. I am 50 miles from training in Thurles so I will have to consider the strain on my family."
Hogan also denied rumours that the team announcement was delayed last Wednesday because of a rift in the panel. "The only rifts we had were concerning a fractured finger John Carroll sustained and another finger injury to Colm Morrissey."
There was some controversy on Sunday over a shot by Ger O'Grady that was called wide but appeared to sneak inside the upright. It occurred with four minutes remaining when Tipperary trailed by a single point. At the time O'Grady remonstrated with referee Aodan MacSuibhne and the linesman but to no avail.
"Ger was convinced it was over the bar and television replays seemed to suggest it was too," continued Hogan. "But that is no excuse for not winning. The championship intensity was missing right throughout the game and it lulled us into a false sense of security."
Many in Limerick hurling would like to see interim manager Joe McKenna handed the job on a permanent basis. A decision on this post and the vacant football role will be made in the coming weeks. County board chairman Denis Holmes has already ruled out bringing Ger Loughnane back to intercounty management, making McKenna the current favourite.
In football, Sligo are keen to secure the services of Dominic Corrigan for a longer period than the year-to-year basis he agreed for this season. Although relegated from Division One of the National League and losing to Leitrim in the Connacht championship, Corrigan turned their fortunes around.
They beat Longford in the qualifiers then Kildare, despite losing captain Eamonn O'Hara to cruciate knee damage in the opening minute, and Clare before succumbing to a rejuvenated Cork side last Saturday.
Sligo PRO Padraig Duffy said no decision would be made until September. "We would hope Dominic will stay on board and are quietly confident that he will. We made good progress this year and if not for the James Masters goal from the penalty rebound who knows how Saturday would have turned out."
Development is expected on the high-profile managerial roles in Donegal and Meath on August 15th. The closing date for Meath nominations will be on that date with interviews to begin on August 22nd. For the third successive year, Eamonn Barry has put his name forward to succeed Sean Boylan.
Already this summer five football managers have stepped down - Pat Roe (Wexford), Brian McEniff (Donegal), Liam Kearns (Limerick), Padraig Nolan (Kildare) and Páidí Ó Sé (Westmeath).
The casualty rate is not so high in hurling. Dinny Cahill left Antrim, citing a lack of player commitment, and Dublin's interim manager Tommy Naughton will not be seeking the position on a long-term basis.
