McElkennon quits as Cavan manager

Martin McElkennon has announced his resignation as manager of the Cavan senior and Under-21 footballers.

The Tyrone man, who took over last October when Eamonn Coleman stepped down due to ill-health, has been involved with the Breffni county for the past three seasons.

One of the leading trainers in the country, McElkennon was right hand man to Coleman when Derry reached the 2001 All-Ireland SFC semi-finals.

He then worked with Fermanagh manager Dominic Corrigan, helping the Ernesiders through to the 2003 All-Ireland quarter-finals and the National League semis.

He linked up with Coleman and Cavan later that year, and took over as caretaker manager last year when his former boss took ill.

The Breffni men reached the last 12 of the All-Ireland in 2005, but have failed to build on that success this term. They fell at the first hurdle in the Ulster championship, losing to Down in May, and went down to Kildare in the qualifiers in June.

There was also disappointment in the Tommy Murphy Cup - McElkennon's charges bowed out of the secondary competition 13 days ago, in a 2-14 to 2-9 defeat to Antrim.

Having mulled over his decision in the last week, McElkennon admitted that the "time is right to leave and seek a fresh challenge".

His long-term friend and assistant with Cavan, Damien Cassidy, could step in to the number one role. The Bellaghy clubman is a well respected figure within Ulster football circles.