The Kilkenny County Board may be forced to appoint somebody from outside the county to replace Kevin Fennelly as manager of the county's hurling team.

A three-man committee was put in place at an emergency meeting on Wednesday to oversee the team's affairs until a new manager is named.

The committee consists of the county board chairman John Healy, vice-chairman Ned Quinn and , Pat Dunphy.

Dermot Healy, the former Offaly manager, has been ruled out as a possible successor.

Kilkenny were due to meet Limerick in the South East League on November 1st but because that would clash with the county club final it is proposed to bring the match forward to October 26th. Limerick and Tipperary will join holders Waterford, Kilkenny, Cork and Wexford in the 1998-1999 Waterford Crystal South East Senior Hurling League.

First-round games are scheduled to be played on November 1st.