ROSCOMMON are the latest county on the look-out for a new manager after Davy Burke stepped down.
Burke leaves the job after three years at the helm, having guided the Rossies back to Division 1 of the National League in his final campaign.
He is the latest inter-county managerial departure, following Kevin McStay’s controversial axing from Mayo and Andy McEntee’s exit from Antrim.
Burke said: “After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as Roscommon Senior Football Manager, bringing an end to my 3 year term.
“I would like to thank the Roscommon County Board in particular County Chairperson, Brian Carroll for his unwavering support and loyalty through the highs and lows over the last 3 years.
“I appreciated it more than you will know.
“During my tenure I have had the privilege of working alongside a fantastic group of people in my backroom team.
“While there are too many to mention individually, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for your professionalism, dedication and loyalty to Roscommon Football.
“My management team of Eddie Lohan, Mark Doran, Hugh Lynch and Leo Tierney.
“Thanks lads for your immense commitment, your expertise and your constant support. It was a pleasure to work with you all.
“To the Roscommon players, it was an honour of a lifetime to be entrusted to manage you bunch of men for 3 years.
“I am very proud of the improvements we made, the work we put in together and the experiences we had along the way.
“I will be on the terrace in The Hyde keenly watching on and wishing you continued success.
“There is no better sight than The Hyde pitch full with Rossie jerseys after a win.
“Finally to my family who as always were my biggest backers and supporters. There was never a journey too arduous for them.
“The crew were always there.”
The former Wicklow boss was appointed at Roscommon in October 2022.
In his first season, they narrowly missed out on the Division 1 final, while they beat Mayo in the Connacht SFC before losing to Galway in the semi-finals.
His maiden All-Ireland series in charge was ended by Cork in the preliminary quarter-finals.
2024 saw them drop down to Division 2 while they lost to Mayo in the provincial semi-finals and Armagh in the last eight of the Sam Maguire.
They bounced back up to Division 1 earlier this year before once again losing in the Connacht SFC semi-finals, to Galway.
The Rossies failed to get out of the All-Ireland round robin this summer, with Burke’s final act as boss being a two-point loss to Cork.
‘SINCERE THANKS’
Chairperson Brian Carroll said: “I have witnessed first hand the effort, dedication and commitment Davy has put in since his appointment in October 2022.
“I want to thank Davy most sincerely for everything he has done for Roscommon GAA.
“We have had highs and lows over the 3 years but Davy’s ambitions and goals for our players, supporters and our County was always to be the very best we could possibly be.
“I want to thank all our backroom team for their work over the last 3 years.
“Finally I want to wish Davy, Shauna, Shea and little Conn the very very best in the future and I wish them health, happiness and success on and off the pitch.
“It was a pleasure to work with Davy and he will always be welcome in Roscommon.”
Roscommon GAA will now begin the process of appointing a new senior football manager.
