Lillis steps down as Laois manager

Mick Lillis has stepped down from his position as manager of the Laois senior footballers.

Lillis tendered his resignation following Laois' one-point defeat to Clare in round 2 of the All-Ireland SFC qualifiers.

The former Portlaoise manager took charge of the O'Moore County in 2015 but Laois were relegated from Division 2 of the Allianz Football League after finishing bottom before going on to exit the Leinster championship at the quarter-final stage.

The enjoyed qualifier wins over Wicklow and Armagh until their run was ended by Clare.

"It is with regret that I wish to inform you that I will not be putting myself forward for consideration as manager of Laois senior football team for the coming season," Lillis said in a statement.

"I wish to put on record my thanks to the following; the players who worked tirelessly and selflessly to improve the Laois team, the backroom team of selectors, coach, doctor, physios, stats, kit men and caterers who worked extremely hard, and the County Board Officials who supported me as manager of Laois.

"I would like to wish the new management team every success in tackling the issues that pertain in Laois football."

The Laois County Board added; "Laois GAA would like to thank Mick and his backroom team for their huge commitment and dedication to Laois football over the last year and wish them the very best in the future.

"The County Board Executive will be meeting in the next few days to put a process in place to select a new team manager."

Setanta Sports is now eir Sport. We have 6 great channels of live sport including eir Sport 1 & 2 and all 4 BT Sport channels. The eir Sport pack is free to all eir broadband customers. To learn more about setting sport free visit www.eir.ie/sport .