TIPPERARY GAA officials are expected to confirm, before the weekend, that Declan Ryan is no longer the county’s senior hurling team manager.

Ryan’s two-year tenure officially came to an end following the recent 18-point defeat to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final.

He presided over two successive Munster SHC wins but Tipp lost the 2011 All-Ireland final to Kilkenny and suffered their heaviest senior championship defeat since the late 1800s against the Cats at Croke Park last Sunday week.

The fallout in Tipperary has been unprecedented and Ryan is due to inform county board officials this week that he will not be seeking another term.

Ryan, coach Tommy Dunne and selector Michael Gleeson will leave en masse and the search for successors is expected to commence next week. No candidates will be approached until Ryan officially vacates the position.

Tipperary senior football team manager Peter Creedon has indicated he wishes to be considered for the position next year after taking the role on an interim basis following the resignation of John Evans last March.

Creedon will be assisted once again by selectors Gerry McGill and Michael O’Loughlin.

Tipperary football board chiefs will recommend Creedon for the position on a full-time basis and his appointment could be rubberstamped at next month’s full county board meeting.

* A footballer has been handed a 48-week suspension by the CCC for allegedly striking a referee in a championship game in Wicklow.

Donard player John Walsh was cited by referee Keith Peppard for striking after a dispute arose over a goal in a match won by Baltinglass on a scoreline of 3-11 to 0-9. The referee suffered bruising.