The Limerick County Board are still tight-lipped about their new hurling management team for 2014 although it now appears that former county captain TJ Ryan will join up with former manager Donal O'Grady.

Speculation that Cork selector and former All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Ger Cunningham was about to take charge is wide of the mark. Cunningham has opted out of the Cork set-up for 2014 due to work commitments. He met with Limerick officials to discuss the possibility of replacing John Allen in Limerick but that won't be the case.

Limerick officials say an announcement may be made “within the next day or so”, with Ryan and O’Grady now emerging as their preferred candidates.

“We’re still waiting for confirmation, which should be in the next day or so,” said Limerick county secretary Mike O’Riordan.

Cunningham had been assistant coach and selector to Cork manager Jimmy Barry-Murphy for the past two seasons, which culminated in the county coming within seconds of winning this year's All-Ireland before losing the replayed final to Clare. Last week the Cork County Board confirmed the ratification of Barry-Murphy's entire backroom team for 2014, including Cunningham, and also Johnny Crowley, Kieran Kingston, and Seánie McGrath.

Had Cunningham taken charge of Limerick he would be the third member of Cork club St Finbarr’s to hold the position following predecessors Allen and O’Grady.

IAN O’RIORDAN