While Antrim continue their search for a new hurling management team to replace Dominic McKinley and ‘Sambo’ McNaughton, Down boss Jim McKernan - who was formerly in charge of the Saffrons - has now indicated that “certain issues” will need to be resolved before he can commit himself to his post for 2010.

Under McKernan, Down have retained their Division Two status in the National League and were only beaten by Antrim in injury-time in the Ulster senior championship final.

“Even though we lost some experienced players like Gabriel Clarke and Brendan McGourty for much of the season because of a broken leg and work commitments respectively, I still feel the team performed creditably,” he said. “But there are issues which I feel require clarification before we can begin to focus on 2010 and I will be meeting hurling board officials for discussions on these issues.”

Down are due to begin their new campaign against Longford in the Kehoe Cup on January 24 and should they emerge victorious, they will face Westmeath on January 31. If they lose, they will enter the Kehoe Shield competition.

McKernan has been appointed as part of the Ireland management team for the Shinty International series fixture against Scotland at the end of this month.

Meanwhile, Fermanagh ace Martin McGrath has ruled himself out Ulster’s inter-provincial football championship campaign because of injury. McGrath is one of several high-profile players who will be missing when Ulster meet Leinster in the semi-final at Crossmaglen on Saturday (2.30pm).