Jason Ryan ends Kildare reign despite win over Cork

Jason Ryan last night stepped down as Kildare manager after two years in charge. Ryan had previously been coach and selector under Kieran McGeeney in 2013.

The Waterford native and former Wexford boss led the Lilywhites to an eight-point qualifier win over Cork in Thurles last month before leaking seven goals to Kerry in their All- Ireland quarter-final.

Ryan was always going to find it difficult to remain on after the heavy championship defeats to Kerry and Dublin, which followed a second successive relegation. Kildare will next February do their business in Division 3 having reached the Division 1 semi-finals in 2013. However, Ryan inherited some difficulties with the majority of the panel having to undergo surgery in the latter half of 2013 and first half of 2014.

The Dungarvan man could now come into the reckoning for the vacant Laois and Tipperary positions while Glenn Ryan will again be linked with taking charge of Kildare.

Meanwhile, Denis Connerton was last night appointed as successor to Jack Sheedy as Longford manager. It is Connerton’s second spell in charge of his native county having previously managed between 2005 and 2007.

• Steven McDonnell has revealed his desire to manage Armagh in the future after completing a two-year stint in charge of the county’s U21 side. The 2002 All-Ireland winner stood down as U21 manager yesterday to concentrate on managing his club side, Killeavy.

However the 36-year-old says he gleaned valuable experience with the orchard underage squad which he hopes to put to good use in years to come.

“When you play inter-county football for so long, you want to stay involved and my heart’s definitely in it,” he revealed.

“I have a lot to learn before I can be considered (for senior inter-county management) but I have got a couple of good years under my belt and I’m going in the right direction in my managerial career.”

“The commitment and effort I got from the players was second to none and I would like to thank the county board for giving me the opportunity to work with the best young players in the county.”

McDonnell’s team lost an Ulster Under-21 semi-final to eventual All- Ireland champions Tyrone in very wet conditions in Kingspan Breffni Park in March.