O'Rourke resigns from Armagh post

Paddy O'Rourke has relinquished his role as Armagh senior football manager following today's disappointing All-Ireland SFC first round qualifier defeat to Roscommon.

According to sources close to the Armagh panel, O'Rourke informed the players afterwards in the dressing room that he is stepping down from the position.

Armagh were 1-7 to 0-5 ahead at half-time at Dr. Hyde Park this afternoon, but scored only two points in the second half as they bowed out of the Championship in alarming fashion.

It brings to an end O'Rourke's three-year tenure during which the Orchard men showed plenty of endeavour but little progress on the pitch.

Although O'Rourke will take his fair share of responsibility for the Championship exit, a number of players must look at themselves too given the way they allowed Roscommon to seize control.

The Down native, who captained his home county to All-Ireland glory in 1991, took the Armagh managerial reins from Peter McDonnell in October 2009.

The highlight of his first season at the helm was a Division 2 title success and promotion to the top flight of the Allianz League.

Taking over a team in transition, O'Rourke was unable to get Armagh playing to a consistently high level and they struggled to make an impact in the summer months, they have bowed out in the qualifiers in three successive years, reaching round 3 in both 2010 and 2011 before crashing out in the first round today.

Their Ulster Championship form was not much better, reaching the semi-final stage in 2011 was their best performance under O'Rourke.

Armagh's chances of progress have been hampered by injuries and retirements, star forward Steven McDonnell and goalkeeper Paul Hearty were the most recent players to hang up their boots and Crossmaglen's crusade for multiple All-Ireland club crowns has also taken away some of their first choice players in the early part of the season.

Witness the 2012 campaign as Cross climbed the All-Ireland ladder once again and retained the Andy Merrigan Cup, while O'Rourke's charges suffered relegation from Division 1 of the National League without some of those club-tied aces.