After a largely forgettable year for Kilkenny hurling, it has been announced that DJ Carey is set to take charge of the county's U-21 hurling side.
Replacing Eddie Brennan after two rather disappointing seasons in charge, the five-time All-Ireland winner arrives into the role with no shortage of experience - and expectation, undoubtedly.
Having guided IT Carlow to the Fitzgibbon Cup final this year, Carey will be aware that the Kilkenny hurling community as a whole are in the middle of an unusual slump by their standards.
Defeats to Wexford and Waterford in the senior championship meant that the Kilkenny seniors failed to feature in the month of August for only the second time in Brian Cody's nineteen-year reign.
At minor level, semi-final defeat to Galway denied Kilkenny of their place in a final for the first time since 2014.
Intriguingly, Kilkenny's U-21s did in fact reach an All-Ireland final this year under Brennan.
Having trounced Derry in the semi-final, Kilkenny faced a Limerick side that had narrowly overcome Galway.
In what was something a rematch from when the two sides met at minor level in that 2014 final, it was Limerick who were victorious on this occasion.
A result that would ultimately lead to Brennan stepping down from the role, Carey will now take what many believe is the first step toward ultimately replacing Cody at senior level.
Although many of this U-21 side featured at senior level throughout their underwhelming championship run, the Young Ireland's man will have his work cut out for him.
During an All-Ireland final that largely saw Kilkenny outplayed by Limerick, Brennan's young men only managed to score 4 points from play.
While questioning the quality of Kilkenny's conveyor-belt of talent usually results in yet another sustained period of success, the U-21 side has now failed to win an All-Ireland since 2008.
Should Carey manage to set this anomaly in order, the quietly persistent desire to see him named as Cody's eventual successor will undoubtedly become more vocal.
