Ryan relinquishes Wexford role

Jason Ryan has bowed out as Wexford senior football manager after five years in charge.

Confirmation of Ryan's resignation came last night via the official Wexford GAA Twitter account. He took time out to consider his future in the job after July's All-Ireland qualifier defeat to Tipperary.

The statement read: "Jason Ryan has submitted his resignation as Wexford senior football manager to the County Board with immediate effect. The County Board wish him well in the future.

"The Wexford Football Advisory Committee will now start the search for his successor. Jason brought Wexford football to new heights and will be missed."

Hailing from Waterford, there is speculation that Ryan will now be sought for the vacant Déise role following John Owens' recent departure.

Whatever lies ahead for the young manager, he leaves Wexford with plenty of praise ringing in his ear.

Taking to their Twitter pages, Ryan's Wexford players hailed his impact on the panel over the past five seasons and the improvements made during his tenure.

Lynchpin goalkeeper Anthony Masterson wrote: "Devastated to hear about Jason. People don't understand what he put into Wexford football and he'll be very, very hard to replace."

Promising defender Lee Chin said: "Sorry to hear Jason is gone, gutted I won't get another year to play under him. But I respect the man and his wishes and wish him the best of luck."

Paying his own tribute, key forward Redmond Barry added: "Gutted. They say no one is irreplaceable. This will test that theory. Jason gave everything and more for Wexford football for the last five years."

Ryan's last year with the Model men saw them earn promotion from Division 3 of the Allianz League, however they lost a tight Leinster semi-final to Dublin and fell to Tipp in the second round of the qualifiers.

In 2008, Ryan's first season at the helm, Wexford reached the dizzying heights of an All-Ireland semi-final appearance in which they lost to Tyrone.

They were agonisingly close to a Leinster title success also, going down to Dublin in the 2008 and 2011 provincial deciders.