Crowning a new Kilkenny king - who will replace Brian Cody?

The rumours had been circulating since midweek but the notion seemed the most far-fetched of silly season speculation.

Why would Brian Cody finish up now, having just lost a close All-Ireland final? But go the 11-time champion did, and the Kilkenny hurling hot seat is now vacant for the first time since November 1998.

So who will replace the greatest manager the county – or indeed the game - has ever known? And will they prove more a David Moyes or a Pat Henderson (a first-year winner with the Cats alongside Eddie Keher in 1979)?

Here are some of the leading contenders and outsiders that will be in the frame.

Henry Shefflin

The return of the king? Hurling's most decorated player presumably wouldn’t have taken the Galway job if he had known his native county would need a new manager so soon.

And it’s doubtful Brian (pictured left) gave him a heads up when they were practising their post-match grips.

Sheffflin might not want to walk away from Galway after just one year, which ended in considerable credit after pushing Limerick close in the semi-final, but as Liam Cahill said in taking the Tipperary job at the second offering last week, you can never be sure when the chance will come up again.

Led his native Ballyhale Shamrocks to a unbeaten brace of county, provincial and All-Ireland titles in just two years as a club manager.

Derek Lyng

Former midfielder who made his senior Kilkenny debut a couple of campaigns after Shefflin in 2001 and retired nine years later having won six All-Ireland medals.

Was a selector under Cody for five years from 2014 before switching to manager of the county U20s.

Led that team to Kilkenny’s first All-Ireland at the grade since 2008. A strong contender.

Eddie Brennan

Eight-time All-Ireland winning forward