There is only one.
Just the year too late,
Goddamn Co Board. Lacey supposed to be on the ticket too.
Nine applied to be manager allegedly.
Martin Murphy gone from Offaly.
Martin Murphy’s statement in full:
Following recent media print speculation that Offaly would likely seek a new football manager, as a review of management teams commenced, I wish to state the following:
I became a selector and part of Liam Kearns’s management team in October 2022.
Following Liam’s sudden passing on the 12th of March, 2023 (RIP), I was asked to step into the manager role.
The aftermath of Liam’s sudden death was a challenging and emotional time, and it profoundly affected the players and the management team for some time afterwards.
Despite the unexpected and traumatic loss of Liam, the players and management endeavoured to give it our very best for the remainder of the year.
Several weeks ago, I met with the chairman of the County Board, Michael Duignan, to discuss and review the past year.
We discussed the targets we had set for ourselves as a team at the beginning of the year.
As it transpired, 2023 proved to be Offaly’s most successful Leinster championship campaign in sixteen years.
The team played some outstanding football, beating Longford and Meath and reaching the Leinster semi-final against Louth in Croke Park, only to lose after extra time.
Disappointingly, our performance in the Tailteann Cup competition differed from what we had hoped for or expected.
Despite qualifying for the preliminary quarter-final, we exited the competition losing to Wexford in Tullamore.
The team played nineteen games since January 7th, sixteen of which were competitive; all games were condensed into twenty-four weeks.
The chairman asked if I was interested in remaining in the position for 2024. I explained to him that I felt extremely privileged and proud to have been allowed to manage my own County.
Unfortunately, due to circumstances outside of my control, I am not in a position to be able to give the necessary 100% commitment required to manage the team, and I will not be remaining on as the manager for 2024.
I want to thank the players for their hard work, the massive effort and the support they gave me throughout the year.
I thank the management and backroom team for their time and expertise and their excellent work in preparing the team, the selectors/coaches, the S&C coaches, the analysts, the physiotherapists, the doctor, kit men, the catering staff and the team secretary.
Many thanks to Faithful Fields and Glenisk O’Connor Park staff, who were always extremely helpful and courteous and were a pleasure to deal with.
It was amazing to be part of and witness the joy the team brought to the Offaly supporters this year, especially the scenes following our quarter-final win against Meath in Tullamore and the many supporters who travelled to Croke Park.
To all Offaly supporters, thank you.
I want to sincerely thank Michael Duignan and the officers of the County Board for their support and for allowing me to manage this team; I am truly grateful and deeply honoured.
Finally, I wish the players and incoming management team a successful 2024.
Esto Fidelis
Martin Murphy
There’s a sitcom in this
Tessio will have his pick of jobs now.
Tipp
Clare
Offaly
Laois
Limerick
Tessio has it grand and easy where he is.
Sounds like Martin was pushed
Its an odd sounding statement. Martin is an odd one. Has a great track record, but anyone you speak to would suggest he’s nothing special. I doubt he’d be a great man for an intercounty set up, but maybe with good coaches perhaps.
If he was pushed, I’d imagine the move to get him into Laois will start here .
First time I’ve seen that in a GGA statement
Philly tried to use it but he passed out trying to spell it.
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Unfortunate choice of words given poor Liams suspected heart attack!
It’s their motto, being the faithful county.
Offaly have gone with the man who brought them to u20 All Ireland.
What went on with Martin Murphy do you know?
Not sure. It did seem to descend into a bit of a shitshow in the end after great win v Meath. Players not arsed and fallings out within management team
He’s a bit of a conundrum. Success everywhere he goes but if you watched him in action you’d be bate to figure out the magic formula
TFK well ahead yet again.
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Lacey in with him, they want two members of the Co Board removed first apparently.
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Rossiter for Wexford. What’s the view on that?