Kernan resigns as Armagh manager
Joe Kernan has officially ended his reign as Armagh senior football manager tonight.
This follows on from his team's exit from the All-Ireland championship 10 days ago.
Appointed in August 2001, Kernan led Armagh to their first ever All-Ireland SFC title the following year and added four Ulster SFC crowns and a National League title to the Orchard trophy cabinet during his time in charge. Armagh were also All-Ireland runners-up in 2003.
Kernan, 53, was re-appointed for a three-year term in 2005 but has decided to bow out a year early to allow a new management team to come in.
An Armagh County Board statement confirmed: "It is with great reluctance and regret that the Armagh County Board announce that senior football team manager Joe Kernan has advised them of his decision to step down from his position.
"The board would like to sincerely thank Joe and his entire backroom team for the devotion and commitment they have given to Armagh football and to recognise the major roles that they all played during what has proven to be the most successful period in the county's history."
The board went on to praise Kernan's "attention to detail on every aspect of football and his player management".
This year was a one to forget for Kernan's side however, as they lost four times in the National League and missed out on a place in the restructured Division One.
Their chances of retaining the Ulster title were ended by Donegal at the quarter-final stage and they lost to Derry first time out in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
Injuries this season to key men like Francie Bellew, Brian Mallon, JP Donnelly and Ronan Clarke, who were all sidelined by cruciate ligament injuries, severely hampered Armagh's chances of championship glory.
A former county player who won two All-Star awards in 1977 and 1982, Kernan's managerial career took off with his club side Crossmaglen Rangers whom he guided to three All-Ireland club titles, three Ulster championships and five successive Armagh SFC crowns.
His best day out with Armagh came in September 2002 when a Kieran McGeeney-captained Orchard side stunned pre-match favourites Kerry to take a 1-12 to 0-14 victory in the All-Ireland final.
With a successful mortgage brokers and estate agency to run, "Big Joe" has plenty to keep him busy off the field and his interest in the Armagh team will run on with his sons Aaron, 22, and Stephen, 24, likely to members of the senior panel for some years to come.
