Paul Taylor has stepped down as manager of the Sligo senior football team.
In a statement issued on Thursday morning, Taylor cited family commitments, work commitments and the current health crisis as the main factors in his decision to leave the role.
His departure comes nine days after Sligo withdrew from the Connacht senior football championship, following a Covid-19 outbreak in the squad.
Taylor took over the in September 2018 at a time when the county team was in transition.
Sligo lost every one of their competitive league and championship matches in 2019 and were relegated from Division 3.
During a Covid-interrupted 2020 season, Sligo won three of their seven league games, which wasn't good enough for promotion.
Sligo GAA Chairperson Brendan Leonard says the search for a new manager will begin when the county board meets on Friday night:
Below is the full text of the Taylor's statement:
I accepted the County Manager position two years ago knowing that the team was in a transition phase - with older and experienced players retiring and new younger players called up to County football. Notwithstanding that, there has been significant improvement in the team over the past two years. The players, management team and I have worked tirelessly to develop the players and the squad. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the players for their commitment, positive attitude and loyalty during my tenure.
I would also like to thank the backroom and management team who have stood together over the last two years and especially over the last few months where we saw many changes to our daily lives. After all the hard work and preparations, I was bitterly disappointed that we were forced to withdraw from the Connacht SFC tie with Galway due to a COVID-19 outbreak.
For any GAA player, the honour to wear your county colours is one which stays with you a lifetime. I have been fortunate to not only manage the county team, but to also wear the county jersey. I hope to return to GAA football management in the future as the GAA is one of my true passions and will always be close to my heart.
I want to thank the supporters, my friends and my family, Naomi and our four children who supported me during the last two years. Finally, I would like to wish the Sligo players, the Sligo County Board and my successor the very best of luck in the future."
