Irish cricket is already planning for a brave new world without coach Adrian Birrell - and captain Trent Johnston has yet to discover how big a part he will play.
Thirty-two-year-old Johnston has led Ireland through a most admirable World Cup campaign, which yesterday ended on a disappointing note as Sri Lanka won by eight wickets at Queen's Park.
Australia-born Johnston nonetheless reflected with great pride on a Caribbean tour which has brought notable victories against Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Along with Birrell, he also last night outlined the consideration Ireland are giving to playing all their international cricket in the winter months - to avoid losing their best players to county cricket.
The pace-bowling all-rounder also hinted he, or others, may have decisions to make once former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons arrives to replace Birrell
Asked about the role Simmons is about to play for Irish cricket, Johnston first paid tribute to Birrell for all he has done over the past four years.
'They are huge shoes to fill,' he said.
With some self-deprecation, he then suggested: 'Maybe he (Simmons) will want to get rid of the dead wood and get some young boys in.
'I don't know if I'll be going on - this might be my last game.
'I'll sit down with my family and see where we are going - it's pretty hard to go on after a World Cup and the seven weeks we've just had like this.'
Despite those remarks, it seems Johnston's mind is far from made up yet whether he will continue - or be invited to continue - for some time yet as Ireland captain.
'I'd love to be a part of what Phil wants to achieve,' he said.
'We have a fantastic cricket calendar to come up - nine Friends Provident games, the final of the Intercontinental Cup, a West Indies-Holland tri-series - and we might be playing India and South Africa. These are exciting times.'
Birrell, meanwhile, is satisfied to be leaving his post after a job he believes is well done - but he admits there is a long path ahead too.
'Semi or fully professional is the route, but this is all new,' he said of the future of Irish cricket.
Ireland have just been accorded a place in the International Cricket Council one-day rankings, and Birrell added: 'We've only recently got into the Super Eights, and now the world rankings. 'All these problems are good problems to have. I'm sure the Irish Cricket Union will be attending to that very seriously.'
As for Ireland's audacious plan to play cricket outside the established summer season, Birrell explained: 'That way we'd be full strength, instead of competing with the counties.'
Ireland have already lost Ed Joyce to England, while a clutch of their current squad are claimed by their counties during the summer.
'We are in the final of the Intercontinental Cup, defending champions - but we are at a disadvantage playing in our season, because we will never be at full strength,' said the outgoing coach.
'We could play our Intercontinental Cup games out of season - and play Zimbabwe in their season.'
