Andrews departs ‘infighting’ Louth

LOUTH senior football manager Val Andrews has resigned his position after just two years in the job.

Andrews cited a breakdown in his working relationship with the county board chairman Paddy Oliver and infighting within the board as the reasons for his resignation.

The former Cavan manager was originally appointed in September 2003 for a two-year term, with the possibility of a third year in charge being offered after a review that was due to be held next week.

However, it has been suggested that Oliver was not in favour of Andrews continuing in the post, while a small number of senior players - possibly as few as three or four - were also of the view that a new manager was needed.

In a letter to the county secretary Pat Toner, Andrews said he felt the actions and behaviour of the county chairman had grossly undermined his position as manager.

“While respecting both the chairman’s elected position and personal views, no working relationship remains, and continuing on would only further damage the future development of Louth football. In addition to this, the continuing county board in-feuding creates a near impossible environment for any ambitious county manager and panel to succeed in the long term. As usual the players, who have worked hard and shown commitment to Louth, are being sold short.”

Andrews thanked the players and county board for their efforts, and pleaded for Louth to stop the infighting and devote their resources and energies to help a “great bunch of players to achieve their maximum potential”.

It seems to be a case of history repeating itself for Andrews who, despite guiding Cavan to the Ulster final in 2001, quit the county later that year, citing a lack of support from the county board.

Andrews enjoyed a successful stint managing Tralee IT to Sigerson Cup success in 1998 and has been involved with his club Ballymun Kickhams.

Though Andrews guided Louth to the third round of the All-Ireland qualifiers this summer, the county side’s fortunes have plummeted in the past four years.

Three years ago, they were agonisingly close to taking the scalps of both Kildare and Meath in the championship but they now seem to be paying the price for a structure that has seen three managers - Paddy Clarke, Paddy Carr and now Andrews - depart inside four years.

Clarke, now managing Mattock Rovers, is already being mentioned as a possible successor, though considering the fact that he was extremely unhappy at being shown the door by the county board four years ago, that would appear unlikely.

The name of Irish International Rules manager Pete McGrath has also been aired, though he has turned down the opportunity to manage the county in the past, while Monaghan man Eamonn McEneaney is being touted as a possible outside bet.