Niall Carew has stepped down as Sligo senior football boss, just a month after his re-appointment to the role for a fourth successive season.
The Kildare native has issued a statement citing the demands of a new job as the reason for his decision.
The statement read: “It is with regret that I announce my resignation as manager of Sligo’s senior football team after three seasons. I have recently changed jobs and the demands would make it impossible for me to commit to Sligo in the manner I would deem necessary.
“I am extremely thankful to the county board, who gave me the green light to continue into a fourth season. I was looking forward to continuing the progress we had made but unfortunately the landscape changed in my professional life in the meantime.
“Throughout my time in Sligo, the officers of the county board and Club Sligo have been very supportive and we never wanted for anything. The players worked hard and bought into what we were trying to achieve. Management always gets mistaken and portrayed in the media as a one-man gang when the truth is that nothing is possible without selectors, coaches, backroom and support staff. The clubs were fantastic with their backing as were the fantastic Sligo supporters.
“I thank all stakeholders for what they did to help move Sligo football forward in the last three years. In Scarden, the county has a tremendous facility. With players from the U21s, minors, recent schools’ teams and development squads coming through, there is cause for optimism in the future. It may take a few years but I am confident Sligo will have senior success to celebrate in time.
“We had some good days, including reaching the Connacht final. This year, we were competitive in all our games including against Mayo, who are now All-Ireland finalists. With a small bit of luck, that was a game we might have won… that’s how close I think Sligo are to making a real impact.
“Advances were made and I would like to think that they will continue under my successor and call on the county board, players, clubs and supporters to get behind him the same way they got behind me.
“Finally, I would like to thank my wife Michelle and three children Sadhbh, Caoimhe and Páidí, for their support and patience over the past 10 years that I have been involved with Kildare, Waterford and Sligo. Without that, none of it would have been possible.”
Current Glencar/Manorhamilton coach Aidan Rooney had agreed to be a selector for Carew for next season, but he may now be a contender for the manager’s role.
Last year’s county U21 and minor bosses, Paul Taylor and David Cummins respectively, could also be candidates, while former Fermanagh manager Peter McGrath, ex-Donegal boss Rory Gallagher and Roscommon’s Fergal O’Donnell may consider an approach.
Former Sligo greats Eamonn O’Hara and Gerry McGowan, who are in charge of reigning county champions Tourlestrane, would also receive plenty of backing within the county.
Carew spoke to Ocean FM’s Darragh Cox about some of the challenges he faced in the role when he was re-appointed last month. Listen back to that interview here:
