TOMÁS Ó FLATHARTA last night stepped down as Laois senior football manager after two years in charge.

Ó Flatharta informed the Laois county board of his decision and issued a statement via the Gaelic Writers’ Association.

Laois exited the All-Ireland championship after a qualifier defeat to Antrim last Saturday following their loss to Kildare in the Leinster quarter-final replay the previous weekend.

Statement

The statement reads in full:

“After much consideration, I have decided to step down from the position of Laois GAA senior football manager.

“I have enjoyed immensely my two years with the county and will look back on my time with fondness for the progress that we have made during that time.

Laois players standing for a minutes silence before last week's game against Antrim. Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

“However I will look back on the last few weekends with a huge sense of ‘what might have been’ but ultimately the buck stops with me and I take responsibility for that.

“I would however like to place on record my appreciation for the work of the players over the two seasons and indeed thank my back room team for their help and support during that time.

Support

“I would also like to acknowledge the support of wives, partners, family, friends and Laois supporters in general during that time.

“Finally I believe that during my tenure I have started to implement structures and to instil values that will take Laois football forward and I wish everyone involved with that journey the very best of luck.”

– First published on 23 June at 23.10

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