Mick O'Dwyer has yet to decide whether his services will be on offer for the 2012 season. The Waterville legend's five-year stint with Wicklow ended on Saturday night in Aughrim. He had brought them as far as he could.
'I'd like to think my involvement in the game is not over yet,' is how the sprightly 75-year-old responded to queries about his future in football following the defeat to Armagh. So there is hope? Someone could avail of his services? What county would benefit most? And why can't 'Micko' walk away?
There's always hope. The Kerryman has 'made no decision yet' and will mull things over in the coming weeks. Plenty of hope. They don't sound like the utterings of a man about to hang up his cap.
Plenty of counties could avail of his services. Plenty of counties would love to avail of his services. 'Micko' began his management career with his native Kerry in 1975. His 12-year stint in charge of the Kingdom yielded eight All-Ireland final wins. Not too shabby.
O'Dwyer had two spells in charge of previous 'no-hopers' Kildare. His second coming, from 1997 to 2002, caught the imagination of not only the success-starved Lilywhite supporters but of the entire Gaelic Football community.
Kildare won two Leinster titles in that period and took to the field on third Sunday in September in 1998. Galway spoiled the party but Kildare were back in the big time thanks to O'Dwyer. Another provincial title followed two years later but two years after that the hotelier ended his association with Kildare.
Next up. Wicklow. No provincial title but 'Micko' gave everything he had to the Garden County and insists he has 'risen the profile' of the Leinster minnows.
No provincial title? Is he losing his touch? Hardly.
With a record like his what county would not be interested?
Clare, Offaly, Westmeath and Sligo could do worse than approach O'Dwyer. Even his long-stated ambition to manage his old bogey team Galway is not out of the question. However, I feel that given his age an advisory role is the most likely next step.
Tipperary are a county on the verge of making a breakthrough in Munster and they already have a Kerryman steering the ship - the always affable John Evans. Could Evans and 'Micko' work together? Two words come to mind. Dream. Team.
Think of the 'behind the scenes' work 'Micko' could do with young, eager Tipperary footballers. Can you picture him in dressing room corners whispering sweet footballing nothings into receptive ears? Magic. That's what O'Dwyer does. Adds a big of magic.
Evans is always in danger of having his ambitions pummeled into smithereens by the hurling squad in a county steeped in hurling tradition but it doesn't have to be that way.
To their credit, the Tipperary County Board are very progressive in their approach to the big ball game and long may it continue. 'Micko' would represent the final piece of progression.
It's not a long way to Tipperary so the man who can't walk away should make his way there. It'd be magic. He's mad enough.
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