Jim McKernan has issued a statement outlining his disappointment at being not offered another term as Down hurling manager. The Antrim native has been replaced in the role by Ballygalget's Gerard Monan, despite leading Down to a Christy Ring Cup final appearance this year and expressing a strong desire to continue in the role. In the statement, he said: "With regret I have to accept the decision by Down county board to replace me as manager of the Down hurling team. I would like to first of all say I have had two wonderful years working with some great enthusiastic hurling people from this county, it really has been a pleasure and I would like to thank them all. "Looking back to where we were at the start of my tenure, the team was in freefall, lacking confidence and belief. We have made great improvements around teamwork, coaching and fitness techniques with the team. "In our first year, we steadied the ship, achieved our objectives of sustaining NHL Division 2 status and competed strongly in the Ulster championship, being narrowly beaten in the final. "Our objectives of sustaining NHL Division 2 status was again met this year and we felt we were very unlucky not to achieve silverware in the Ulster championship and Christy Ring Cups, being narrowly defeated in both finals at very late stages of both games. We have also introduced some new exciting young players which really does bode well for the future of Down hurling. "I feel I have the county hurling team as far as I can without some internal changes of which the county are aware. I discussed these at length previous to the county board making their decision for hurling manager. I do not know if these discussions influenced their recent appointment because I feel my performance over this past couple of years should have warranted another term. "I believe these internal changes would have elevated hurling to the position it should be at within the county, but I have had no feedback from the county board on their surprise decision to date." He continued: "Finally, I would like to offer my sincere best wishes to the new Down senior hurling management team and wish them the very best for the future." Tweet

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