GAELIC GAMES:DUBLIN WILL shortly set in train the procedures necessary to replace All-Ireland winning manager Pat Gilroy, who announced last night that he was stepping down from the post. The announcement emerged after he had informed a players' meeting yesterday evening.
Gilroy’s fourth year in charge concluded at the weekend with the defeat by Mayo in the All-Ireland semi-final, which was the team’s first championship defeat in two years. The decision had been expected, as he had committed to just one year’s extension to his initial three-year appointment in the wake of last year’s All-Ireland success, the county’s first in 16 years.
“We were obviously hoping that Pat would agree to stay on,” said county chief executive John Costello last night, “but we also understand the pressure the position puts on a busy career as well as on family life.”
Gilroy is just 40 and his children are still young. He is also very busy as the chief executive of Dalkia Ireland, a position which involves a lot of travel. He has effectively had no retirement from the game having taken on the Dublin manager’s role as soon as his playing career ended in All-Ireland club success with St Vincent’s in 2008.
It is expected that Jim Gavin, who has managed the county’s under-21s to two All-Irelands in three years, will be the successor with his current role being taken over by Dessie Farrell, who has brought the Dublin minors to a second successive All-Ireland final this month.
Under Gilroy Dublin won three Leinster titles, an All-Ireland and reached last year’s league final. After a chastening first year, which ended in annihilation at the hands of Kerry, he re-built the team from the back and the ensuing improvement culminated in last year’s memorable All-Ireland victory against Kerry, secured in the dying moments by Stephen Cluxton’s free kick.
That win – Dublin’s first in a final against Kerry for 35 years – will stand as the high point of Gilroy’s stewardship and as has been the trend in recent years, with the All-Ireland retained just once in 22 years, he wasn’t able to put titles back to back but injury to the 2011 Footballer of the Year Alan Brogan was an impediment to the team in the All-Ireland series but throughout the championship the team had struggled to regain the form of the previous year.
In a statement released last night by the county board, Gilroy said: “It was a huge honour for me to be selected to manage the Dublin senior football team and I was delighted that I was able to make a contribution to our All-Ireland success in 2011.
“It has been a challenging four years for me balancing my role with Dublin along with family and work commitments and I have decided not to continue for a further term. I would like to express my appreciation to my management and backroom team who were very supportive at all times and to the players for their exceptional commitment and dedication.”
Thanking the county board and the clubs for their encouragement and assistance during the four years, Gilroy added that he would be pleased to assist Dublin GAA “if requested at some time in the future.”
County chair Andy Kettle said that the departing manager had “done an outstanding job,” adding: “I regret his departure but appreciate the huge sacrifices he has made over the past four years. The county committee will commence the process of considering suitable candidates to replace Pat and his management team shortly.”