Cooraclare man Mick Lillis has stepped down as manager of the Laois Senior Footballers.
Lillis was appointed to the position in September 2015 having previously managed the County’s minor team and was also in charge of the Portlaoise senior footballers.
In a statement released this evening, Mick thanked all those involved with him and highlighted that certain issues pertain in Laois football circles.
He said “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. 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 search for Lillis’ successor will begin in the coming days according to a spokesperson for Laois GAA. “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”.
This year saw Lillis’ Laois side relegated from Division 2 of the Allianz National Football League. Their championship campaign was ended by Colm Collins and the Clare footballers in Cusack Park on July 10th. They overcame the challenge of Carlow in Leinster but were knocked out by Dublin in the provincial quarter-final. Laois recovered from the Dublin defeat to edge past Armagh in the qualifiers but that win was much publicised as the O’Mooremen used seven substitutes and were forced to replay the fixture which they also won.