Laois turn to Rigney as Fox quits

DAMIEN FOX last night tendered his resignation as Laois hurling manager but the county has moved quickly in installing a new interim management team to take the senior side through to the end of the season.

The Tullamore man stepped down at a meeting of the county executive and clubs in Portlaoise, having informed county chairman Brian Allen last Saturday of his disillusionment at the lack of numbers attending training.

Fox’s selectors, Andy Dunne from Clonad and Niall Rigney from Portlaoise, have also stepped down but Rigney has been persuaded to come back on board as manager until the end of the season.

“The Laois county board would like to thank Damian for his excellent work over the past three seasons,” read a statement after last night’s meeting.

Laois county board chairman Brian Allen added: “He (Fox) put a huge effort into Laois and he was very keen Laois would progress and go forward. Unfortunately over the last few weeks things took a down turn.

“We came to the decision because there was a lack of turnout at training, players were not giving the commitment. They were getting six players one night and 13 on other occasions.

“Laois hurling is at a low ebb.”

The panel’s next training session has already been fixed for Friday with another planned for the Sunday. Laois’ next game will be in the All-Ireland qualifiers, most likely against Galway.