Waterford's Gerald McCarthy yesterday tendered his letter of resignation to the chairman of the county board, but it by no means signals the end of his role as the county's hurling manager.

Following Sunday's championship defeat by Tipperary, McCarthy automatically reached the end of his second successive two-year tenure as manager. However, while the former Cork player has so far expressed no comment on what his future might hold, there is certainly no lack of support for him within the county.

"I'm not getting into any major debate as to what might happen next," said McCarthy yesterday. "I have tendered my resignation and that's as far as the matter goes at the moment."

The county board's selection committee will make recommendations for the new appointment at the next meeting on June 12th. According to the county board secretary Seamus Grant, it's very much up to McCarthy himself as to whether or not he will be in the running for re-appointment.

"Gerald has put in a mighty effort over the past two years," he said, "and it is a matter for himself now to decide what the future might hold. I think the mood in the county is very much to retain him but that's a decision which must wait another day."

Either way, McCarthy has raised expectations in the county to new levels, particularly over the past three seasons. He would not be easily replaced and among the few suggestions made in recent days has been former Tipperary stalwart Colm Bonnar. In his role as selector and trainer this year, Bonnar knows what it takes to make this Waterford team tick.

There was more depressing news for Waterford yesterday when it was revealed that leading forward Ken McGrath is likely to be out of action for as long as a year.

McGrath underwent surgery on his injured ankle at Waterford Regional Hospital yesterday morning and the early diagnosis is certainly not good. He has suffered a double fracture in the joint, an injury made worse by playing through the pain in Sunday's match.

It was just 10 minutes into the game when McGrath fell awkwardly and twisted his left ankle. Even though he played on for almost the hour, managing to contribute three points, it was clear from early on that his mobility was severely curtailed. After 57 minutes he eventually hobbled off, in obvious pain, to be replaced by Andy Kirwan.

What this will do for McGrath's playing future remains to be seen. The Mount Sion clubman has been a pivotal forward in the Waterford team since making his senior debut four years ago, scoring 21 points in his 10 championship appearances before Sunday's outing. But having just turned 21, there is certainly ample time for him to return to the top of his game.

County secretary Grant admitted that, in hindsight, it was a mistake for McGrath to endure the pain and stay on the field. "He probably should have come off straightaway, and certainly not have started the second half," he said. "But he's one of the most outstanding players I've seen in recent years and I expect him to make it back."

McCarthy himself also commented on McGrath's misfortune. "It's so disappointing for him, especially since he was playing so well. I just hope that he can make a full recovery," he said.

It's a situation which almost echoes the plight of Waterford's key midfielder Tony Browne who, at the height of his game, also suffered a major ankle injury last season. That was made all the worse by playing through the pain in the Munster semi-final defeat to Cork, and while his injury was less serious than McGrath's, it also required an extensive period of rehabilitation just to return to full fitness.