GAELIC GAMES NEWS:JUSTIN McCARTHY will make an immediate return to intercounty hurling management this evening when he will be ratified by the Limerick County Board.

"Justin McCarthy is the only name that will be put up for ratification by the executive and 69 clubs in Limerick," confirmed PRO Helen Crosse yesterday.

McCarthy replaces Richie Bennis, the man behind the shock All-Ireland semi-final defeat of McCarthy's Waterford in 2007. Bennis felt it would be a futile process to seek a third season as the seven-man selection committee had already set their sights on the Cork native.

"There was no point in doing the interviews. It was a done deal anyway," said Bennis. "How could they interview Justin, to be fair about it? I'd say it was he who interviewed them.

"Justin's record speaks for itself and when we weren't going to get it, they were right to go for an outsider and it's what the players wanted.

"We know we made mistakes this year but we would have liked a year to rectify that. My contract was for two years with the option of a third. We didn't get it but I'm not bitter. My immediate family are very disappointed but it goes with the territory and if you're in this for thanks, you're codding yourself."

McCarthy's seven years managing Waterford came to a premature end in the wake of defeat to Clare in this season's Munster championship when a player revolt forced his resignation.

Limerick players are notorious for acts of indiscipline in recent years, with Bennis highlighting several incidents during this year's disappointing campaign he subsequently distanced himself from.

"There were rumours but never any rancour within the camp," Bennis continued. "We had a great relationship and if anything, we were too close."

Meanwhile, Galway club delegates have been presented with two alternatives should they decide against ratifying Ger Loughnane for a third season in charge of the senior hurling panel.

The vote to decide Loughnane's future as Galway manager has been delayed until Thursday night due to the tragic death of senior panellist Paul Flynn.

The Clare man's future seemed secure after coming through a fairly comprehensive questions and answers session with the delegates at last month's county board meeting but since then Michael Bond has come forward with a proposed management team that includes three members from the last Galway side to bring the Liam MacCarthy Cup west of the Shannon.

Bond, a Galway native who as manager led Offaly to the All-Ireland title in 1998, included Joe Cooney, Steve Mahon and Michael Coleman as selectors.

Another option is two-time All-Ireland winning club manager Jimmy Heverin, who would be joined on the ticket by Anthony Cunningham, although it is unclear which man would be manager and which would take the coaching role.

Recent reports have noted the unease amongst Galway players over the continued inclusion of Seán Treacy and Louis Mulqueen in Loughnane's management set-up but no individual has yet to criticise Loughnane directly.

Either way, the recent Galway hurlers' statement of intent to enter the Leinster championship seemed to tip the delegates' vote in their favour despite several objections at executive level and their recent grumblings may force Loughnane's hand.

Long-serving Galway hurling secretary John Fahey, a supporter of entry into Leinster, and a significant figure in bringing Loughnane to Galway in 2006, is unsurprisingly supportive of giving the man who delivered two All-Irelands to his native Clare another year at the helm.

Fahey also confirmed on RTÉ radio yesterday that Galway and Antrim would be forced to play all their provincial championship matches in Leinster over the coming seasons. He did, however, suggest a local derby against Offaly may lead to some form of compromise venue.

"As of now there has been no consultation but my understanding is the Leinster Council have made a decision that all Leinster championship matches would be played at Leinster venues. But I have no doubt if we were to draw Offaly we might have a chat with them to cross one or other side of the Shannon to play a game of that calibre

"In relation to finance, as in all championships, each county will get the relevant expenses and Galway will accrue the relevant expense from games they will play. That is my understanding."

The Leinster Council met last night to iron out the fine print for the new arrivals into their senior provincial hurling championship in 2009. The draw for next year's championship is live on RTÉ Two tomorrow night at 7.30pm.

THE PRESIDENT of the GAA Nickey Brennan has expressed his deepest sympathies and those of the association to the family of Galway hurler Paul Flynn.

Paul was a member of the Tommy Larkins club and was part of the team side that won the Galway intermediate championship in 2007 and played in the All-Ireland intermediate club final of February last.

He won an All-Ireland under-21 medal with Galway in 2005 and earlier this year represented the county at intermediate level and was also a member of the senior panel.

Brennan expressed condolences on behalf of the association to Paul's family and friends, to his Garda Síochána colleagues and to his club and county team-mates.