Jim McKernan has been appointed as the new Down senior hurling manager and now awaits ratification by the Down County Committee who are due to meet this Thursday evening.
The Patrick Sarsfields clubman was backed to succeed Gerald Coulter, who stepped down earlier this year, at a meeting of the Management Committee last week.
McKernan has previously managed Antrim seniors, minors, Under-21 and intermediate hurlers and guided Antrim to Ulster and Christy Ring Cup successes in 2006.