McManus: Panel knew Cribbin was leaving

THE Offaly footballers were expecting Tom Cribbin to step down, according to stalwart Ciarán McManus.

The decision by Laois native Cribbin, who declined to comment yesterday, was revealed in a county board press release. Cribbin, who resigns after two years in charge, is only the second inter-county football manager to quit this season following Mick O’Dwyer from Wicklow.

“He had intimated that he wouldn’t be hanging around,” said McManus. “He felt a three-year stint was needed with the younger lads and a bit of consistency was needed whereas he was maybe only able to give another year.