McNulty quits as Laois football boss

Justin McNulty's spell in charge of the Laois senior footballers is over after he decided not to seek an extension to his original three-year term.

A statement released by the Laois County Board said that McNulty, who was appointed to the position in August 2010, believes "now is the time to move on and seek other challenges".

It was his first inter-county managerial role after previously managing Cavan club Mullahoran and a stint in the Armagh backroom team.

The Mullaghbawn man was full-back for Armagh's historic All-Ireland SFC success in 2002.

McNulty enjoyed a promising start to his Laois reign in 2011 with promotion to the top tier of the Allianz League as Division 2 runners-up.

They were relegated the following season from Division 1 though, and remain a Division 2 side having finish third in the table last spring.

Of the 15 Championship matches the O'Moore men played under McNulty, they won nine of them and reached the All-Ireland quarter-finals in 2012 and the fourth round of the All-Ireland qualifiers this season.

The midlanders fell at the first hurdle in the last two Leinster Championships, going down to Longford and Louth with the former result admittedly leading to 'much unrest in the camp'.

Those reversals had McNulty under increasing pressure but his charges managed to salvage their 2012 and 2013 campaigns with momentum-building runs through the qualifiers, enjoying back-door wins over Carlow (twice), Monaghan, Leitrim, Meath, Clare and Wexford.

His final match in charge was the 0-14 to 0-8 fourth round qualifier loss to Donegal last month. With speculation mounting over his future, McNulty said at the time: "The team has evolved, absolutely. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely, there's massive room for improvement.

"Am I the right person to bring that improvement about? That's a decision for myself and the County Board. I need to reflect and see if I am the right man, or if this is what's best for me as the next move going forward."

McNulty's decision to move on was confirmed last night, with the Laois GAA statement adding: "Justin is grateful for the opportunity afforded to him by Laois County Board and feels incredibly honoured to have worked with such a talented and committed group of players.

"He would like to give massive recognition to the backroom team for their tremendous effort and dedication over the past three seasons.

"Most of all, Justin would like to thank the Laois players. While there were periods of adversity endured together along the way, the character the team developed will stand them in good stead going forward. Justin would like to wish the players all the best for the future.

"Laois GAA wish to thank Justin McNulty for his commitment and dedication over the past three years and wish him well in the future."