Hi °C | Lo °C Down manager Ross Carr is expected to be ratified for a further year in charge when the county board meets tonight.
And it's no more than the former All Ireland winning forward deserves.
Carr may not have quite achieved the level of success with Down that he would have liked to date but he has certainly sown the seeds of optimism for the future.
Down blew hot and cold in the National League before overcoming Cavan after a replay in the preliminary round of the Ulster Championship.
They then lost to Monaghan in the next round before eventually bowing out of the qualifiers to a Meath side who had already attained the rich vein of form that has propelled them into next Sunday's Bank of Ireland All Ireland semi-final against Cork.
But, like Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, Carr has had to work without some of his prize assets this year.
Liam Doyle, Michael Walsh and Ambrose Rodgers were all conspicuous by their absence for the most part as the Mourne side attempted to reverse their recent championship fortunes.
Only Walsh was to see championship action and this, indeed, in the role of substitute.
But it would appear that both Doyle, a former Down captain, and Rodgers are on the way back after lengthy injuries.
They now have time in which to hone their fitness and get valuable match practice under their belts in readiness for next year.
Carr and his lieutenant D J Kane assembled a Down side that showed skill and effort and in Ronan Murtagh, Brendan Grant, Dan Gordon and Daniel McCartan they had capable players.
Daniel McCartan, James McGovern and Aidan Carr not only helped Down but also played important roles in helping Queen's University to claim the Sigerson Cup when they beat UUJ in the decider.
Carr (jnr) proved the Down playmaker and was also a proficient free-taker.
Meanwhile, while several managers have abandoned ship recently, Offaly boss Pat Roe will remain in the hot seat for at least another season after deciding to stay put.
After discussions with county board officials, Roe agreed to a further one-year term and was duly re-appointed.
The former Wexford manager gave a commitment to bring the county out of Division Four of the NFL after seeing the Faithful County relegated there under his watch.
And Liam Kearns will remain on as Laois senior football manager for 2008.
"Everything has been put in place for next season," Laois spokesman Joe O'Dwyer said.
"Our aims and progress have been discussed with the team management and we are satisfied that we can build for next season."
Kearns, the former Limerick boss, brought Laois into the Munster decider but saw his side fall to Dublin before bowing out of the qualifiers against rejuvenated Derry.
