Limerick are on the lookout for a new football manager following Mickey Ned O'Sullivan's decision to step down after five years at the helm.

The former Kerry star informed county board officials last night that he and his assistant Donie Buckley were ending their involvement with the Treaty County. Despite failing to land that elusive Munster title during his time in charge - Limerick were narrowly beaten in the last two finals by Cork and Kerry - he described working with the Shannonsiders "as the most positive experience" he has had in football.

"After five years the time is right for a new voice," he told the Irish Examiner.

"Myself and the management have been considering this for the past few weeks. I was on holidays and we met yesterday after I came back, before informing the county board. I then spoke to the players individually on the phone, and the few that I didn't get through to, I will be talking to them today. They were disappointed to hear that we were moving on, as were the board officials.

"It was a joint decision made by myself and the rest of the management team. It was with great reluctance that we made the decision, as there was massive pressure from the board and players wanting us to stay on. But you can overstay your welcome and we felt we had reached the natural end. We've done everything we could to help Limerick football and we feel there's a new voice needed now.

"The players were like family really and I will miss greatly working with them. They were the finest characters I have come across and working with them is the most positive experience I have had in Gaelic football.

"We had no conflict during our time in charge and got great support from the board and the players throughout that time. When you have all that, it is very difficult to move away from it. There is no point in having any regrets when you leave.

"We did everything we could and tried everything we could to win a Munster title, but it just wasn't to be. That's life. To me, it's more about the journey than the destination."

O'Sullivan took over from Liam Kearns as manager in October 2005 and turned Limerick into a highly competitive outfit. However, despite running Munster rivals Cork and Kerry close on several occasions and recording an emphatic victory over Meath in the 2008 All-Ireland qualifiers, Limerick failed to make a championship breakthrough, though O'Sullivan did deliver silverware in the form of a NFL Division 4 title earlier this year.

Limerick secretary Mike O'Riordan thanked the Kerry native and outlined the procedures to appoint his replacement.

"The process now is that a football sub committee will meet to discuss the matter and the likely scenario is that they will propose a candidate to become the new Limerick football manager. That appointment would then have to be ratified by our executive and then a full meeting of the Limerick county board." Tweet

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