McEneaney steps down as Louth manager

Louth are on the lookout for a new senior football manager after Eamonn McEneaney's decision not to take up a fifth term with the Wee county side.

Louth County Board chairman Paddy Oliver made the announcement at lastnight's board meeting that McEneaney is stepping down.

McEneaney seemingly had a change of heart after declaring recently that he was 'more than likely' to continue on, boosted by the support of the players.

The Geraldines clubman succeeded Val Andrews in the managerial role in 2005, securing a five-year deal.

He had an immediate impact as Louth won the National League Division 2 title and Tommy Murphy Cup the following season.

But apart from this year's O'Byrne Cup win, there has been precious little for Louth supporters to celebrate since then.

In this summer's Championship, they conquered Carlow before Laois ended their Leinster Championship hopes with a 1-15 to 1-11 quarter-final defeat.

McEneaney's charges then bowed out in the first round of the All-Ireland qualifiers in early July, going down 2-10 to 1-12 to Tipperary.

The hunt for a successor will begin next Monday when the Louth management committee get together.

McEneaney was centre-forward in Monaghan's 1985 National League-winning side and previously managed his native county's senior squad.