The Kilkenny county board are on the hunt for a new senior hurling manager after they confirmed that Derek Lyng has stepped down from the role.
The announcement comes on the back of a disappointing season for Kilkenny, which ended with a Leinster Championship defeat to Dublin last week.
The Cats' first loss in championship to Dublin since 2013 confirmed their championship exit at the provincial stage for the first time in the round robin era.
Having taken over from Brian Cody at the end of 2022, Lyng guided Kilkenny to three successive Leinster titles, reaching the All-Ireland final in 2023, where they were overwhelmed by Limerick in the second half.
Under his stewardship Kilkenny also contested two National Hurling League Finals and reached two All-Ireland semi-finals.
As a player, Lyng enjoyed a remarkable career with his count, winning six All-Ireland titles, 10 Leinster titles, five league titles, three Railway Cup medals and two All-Stars.
He joined the Kilkenny coaching staff as part of Cody's senior management team from 2014 to 2019, and helped secure two All-Irelands, three Leinster Championships and two League titles.
Following this year's early exit, Lyng admitted it had been a "fractured, up and down year".
When asked about the toll of the job after the Dublin defeat, Lyng said it was more of a burden on his family, while backing the players to come back from the experience stronger.
"It's not a sacrifice for me. It's a sacrifice for my family. I've loved it. We've had a couple of very good years. We're very close to it. Like I said, I knew this year was going to be a challenge.
Kilkenny chairman PJ Kenny confirmed Lyng's exit and said: "Derek's contribution to Kilkenny hurling over almost three decades has been immense.
"His commitment to the county has never been in question, and he has always carried out his role with honesty, integrity and pride.
"On behalf of Kilkenny County Board and the people of Kilkenny, I would like to sincerely thank Derek for his outstanding service as a player, selector and manager.
"We are deeply grateful for everything he has done for Kilkenny hurling and wish him and his family every success in the future."
The likes of Henry Shefflin and Brian Dowling are likely to be in the running as potential successors.
Shefflin, currently in charge of the Kilkenny Under-20s, has senior inter-county experience from his three-year stint with Galway, and he also guided Ballyhale Shamrocks to All-Ireland club glory in 2019.
Dowling, a two-time All-Ireland winner with the Cats as a player, began his inter-county coaching career with the Cats' camogie side, delivering the O’Duffy Cup twice during his time in charge.
