After weeks of speculation, the former All-Ireland winning football manager Pat Gilroy has been appointed as manager of the Dublin hurling team on a three-year contract.
In an unquestionably curious move, the county board will hope that Gilroy can recreate the previous success he has had with Dublin's footballers as he turns his attention toward their struggling 'small ball' counterparts.
In spite of his relatively limited hurling experience, the expected presence of Anthony Cunningham within Gilroy's managerial set-up will alleviate some fears surrounding this appointment.
However, prior to this morning's announcement, many of those who have previously worked with Gilroy warmly endorsed his suitability for the role.
Commenting on the prospect of Gilroy's appointment, Dublin's five-time All-Ireland winning Cian O'Sullivan was unequivocal in his support for the St. Vincent's man:
[Gilroy] has been incredibly successful in all fields of management, whether it is in business or in the GAA with St. Vincent's and Dublin from 2009/12.
All those qualities that apply to any sport he possesses and ... I am sure that he will do a fantastic job.
Despite his practical inexperience, O'Sullivan did not feel it would be as problematic as some would have you believe:
Looking back, when he was appointed Dublin football manager in 2009, he had no experience of managing inter-county teams.
But he certainly made a success of that and I am sure that he will do the same with the hurling job.
In what was a two-horse race between Gilroy and Cuala's All-Ireland winning manager Mattie Kenny, both men would have been aware of what their primary duty was - retrieving some of Dublin's 'lost' hurling talent.
Prior to Ger Cunningham's appointment in 2014, Dublin's hurlers had experienced something of a rejuvenation under the management of Anthony Daly.
Claiming their first Leinster title in fifty-two years in 2013, Daly's Dublin went on to narrowly lose an All-Ireland semi-final later that year.
Given Gilroy's standing within Dublin GAA, it must be hoped that certain players who became disillusioned under Cunningham's management may be tempted back into the fold.
Two players undoubtedly near the top of Gilroy's list will be both Paul and Mark Schutte - All-Ireland club winners with Mattie Kenny's Cuala.
With Paul (28) departing the county scene earlier this year after growing disgruntled with Cunningham, and Mark (25) opting out in favour of trying his hand with Jim Gavin's footballers, limited playing time may tempt the younger brother back into the hurling panel.
Also on Gilroy's radar will be the former hurling All-Stars Danny Sutcliffe (25) and Peter Kelly (28). Paul Ryan (28) and Joey Boland (29) would also signal notable talents currently out of the fray.
With the Leinster hurling championship now boasting serious All-Ireland contenders in Galway and Kilkenny, the additional presence of Davy Fitzgerald's Wexford will ensure that Gilroy's experience with Dublin will get off to a whirlwind start.
