Cian O'Neill has resigned as manager of the Kildare senior footballers.

The former Moorefield player told County Board officers last night that he would not be remaining on for a fifth season.

Having spent the previous twelve months as a selector with Kerry, the progressive, forward-thinking O'Neill - who also coached the Mayo footballers and Tipperary hurlers - succeeded Jason Ryan as Kildare manager in October, 2015 and led the county to back-to-back promotions as they rose to Division One of the league.

The highlight of his tenure arrived last year when the Lilywhites defeated Mayo in Newbridge (or nowhere) to qualify for the inaugural Super 8s. O'Neill's last game in charge of his native county was the Round Three Qualifier defeat to Tyrone in Newbridge last month.

KIldare GAA released a statement this morning confirming his departure:

"Having recently informed the players, management and backroom, I met with the County Board yesterday to inform them of my decision to step down from my role as Kildare Senior Football Team Manager.

"As a proud Kildare man, it was an honour and privilege to have been given the opportunity to work with an exceptional group of players, each one of us doing our best to represent our clubs and county with distinction at all times. Unfortunately, the successes of consecutive promotions from Division 3 to Division 1, a first Leinster Final in eight years and progression to the Super 8’s in 2018 was met with equal disappointment across these four years where frustratingly we didn’t always reach our potential as a group.

"As manager, this is my greatest regret and ultimately my responsibility, and this undoubtedly informed my decision to step away from this role. This will hopefully leave time and space for my successor and the chosen group of players to take the challenge to a new level under a new direction."

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