Pat Byrne yesterday confirmed that he has resigned as manager of first division promotion chasers Kilkenny City as a result of his ongoing disciplinary battle with the league authorities.

Earlier this week Byrne was banned from entering any ground for a Kilkenny game between now and the end of the season and though he questions the practicality of the penalty the former Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers boss has conceded that to continue would be impossible.

The former international could appeal the £400 fine at the centre of his difficulties, or simply pay it, but he insists that he prefers to go, rather than bring the matter any further. "The money's certainly not a problem," said Byrne. "I have it, the club has offered to pay it and the players have even offered but I simply couldn't get into anything like that.

"The fact is that what I've been sent off the last couple of times for has been ridiculous. If managers are getting sent off now for being passionate then it's a sad day and maybe I'd be better off out of it."