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.