‘Honoured’ Gilroy quits

Pat Gilroy last night stepped down as Dublin manager after four seasons in charge of the county, citing family and work commitments.

The St Vincents man informed players of his decision at a meeting just three days after their All-Ireland title defence was ended by Mayo in Sunday’s semi-final.

Gilroy, 41, quits having led Dublin to their first Sam Maguire Cup in 16 years last season and three Leinster titles along with selectors Paddy O’Donoghue and Dr Dave Hickey as well as advisor Dr Niall Moyna.

However, he has not ruled out returning to the position in the future.

In a statement released via the county board last night, he said: “It was a huge honour for me to be selected to manage the Dublin senior football team and I was delighted that I was able to make a contribution to our All-Ireland success in 2011.

“It has been a challenging four years for me balancing my role with Dublin along with family and work commitments and I have decided not to continue for a further term.

“I would like to express myappreciation to my management and backroom team who were very supportive at all times and to the players for their exceptional commitment and dedication.

“Thanks also to the county board and the clubs for their encouragement and assistance since October 2008.

“I will give my full support to the incoming management team if required and I would be pleased to assist the Dublin GAA board if requested at some time in the future.”

Gilroy’s decision comes as little surprise. The Dalkia managing director and father of three had deliberated about staying on in the role after last September’s win over Kerry before agreeing to just a one-year extension.

Chairman Andy Kettle commended Gilroy for an “outstanding job” in his term in charge and confirmed the board will shortly begin the search for his successor.

He said: “I regret his departure but appreciate the huge sacrifices he has made over the past four years. The county committee will commence the process of considering suitable candidates to replace Pat and his management team shortly.”

Tweeting last night, 2010 footballer of the year Bernard Brogan hailed Gilroy for his contribution to Dublin and to the improvement of him as a footballer.

“Just want to thank Pat Gilroy and his back room staff for everything they did for us and me personally and more importantly bringing us to the promised land, the effort that man put in for us and all his staff was unreal, memories will last forever #legends”

Gilroy was a surprise successor to Paul Caffrey in October 2008 having had no managerial experience at club or county level.

His reign began with a fourth consecutive provincial title for Dublin but they were embarrassed by Kerry in the subsequent All-Ireland quarter-final by Kerry, a game in which the manager said his players performed like “startled earwigs“.

Despite the defeat, Gilroy was successful in receiving another season onto his original two-year term.

After conceding five goals against Meath in a Leinster semi-final, Dublin progressed to an All-Ireland semi-final where they were narrowly beaten by eventual All-Ireland champions Cork.

They regained their Leinster crown last year and beat Tyrone and Donegal before staging a dramatic late comeback to surprise Kerry in the decider.

The expectation now is current U21 manager Jim Gavin, who brought his team to a second All-Ireland title in three years last May, will take over.

Gavin is a former team-mate of Gilroy’s and won an All-Ireland title with him in 1995.

Later this month, Dessie Farrell’s minors face Meath in what is their second All-Ireland final in succession, and the GPA chief executive could step up to take charge of the U21s in 2013.

A day after Jason Ryan left Wexford, Gilroy’s departure brings to 10 the number of inter-county managerial vacancies this season.

Pat Flanagan, meanwhile, has been reappointed as Westmeath manager with a two-year deal with a review after next season.