Lyons confirms Dublin resignation

Dublin manager Tommy Lyons ended his three year association with the capital's senior football team tonight, surmising that, "Three years in the Dublin job is enough for any sane man!"

Speaking at an arranged press conference at Parnell Park, Lyons sought not to opt for an extension of his existing contract, and ended heightened speculation, which has raged since Dublin crashed out of the All-Ireland race last month to finalists Kerry.

The Mayo native met with the Dublin panel of players at 6.30pm to reveal his decision, and arrived in jovial mood at the County Board headquarters for his 7.45pm conference.

Seated beside chairman John Bailey, Lyons, when questioned as to whether he had consider another twelve months in the post, replied: "Not really. I think three years in the Dublin job is enough for any sane man!"

Though he guided the Dubs to the Leinster title - the county's 97th - in 2002, he admitted that last season's provincial semi-final defeat to Laois was the one that got away.

"If I could change a game, that one would be it," he said of the 0-16 to 0-14 loss, "we just couldn't kick a score that day. It was a good performance, but we kicked something like 16-17 wides."