John Sugrue has brought his progressive two-year reign in charge of the Laois footballers to an end.
The Kerry native, a long-time resident in Portlaoise, has stepped down after leading Laois from Division Four to Division Two as well as a Leinster final appearance last year.
They didn’t make the same inroads in the province this year, suffering a heavy semi-final defeat to Meath, though they got to the last 12 of the Championship for the second successive year, this time losing a round four qualifier decisively to Cork.
A statement from Laois GAA read: "Laois GAA Football Manager John Sugrue has announced his decision to step down from his position as senior football manager.
“Laois GAA wish to state their sincere thanks to John for his hard work, dedication and professionalism that he brought to this role.
"In his two-year term, he managed our senior football team to successive promotions from Division Four to Division Two, progressed to a Leinster senior football final in 2018, whilst also reaching round four of the qualifier series in his two years involved.
"He has certainly left the panel in a better position to take the challenge to a new level under a new direction. Laois GAA wish John the very best of luck in whatever role he now chooses."
He becomes the eighth inter-county football manager to vacate his role this summer after Liam Kearns (Tipperary), Paul McLoughlin (Wexford), Malachy O'Rourke (Monaghan), Cian O'Neill (Kildare), Damien McErlain (Derry), John Evans (Wicklow) and Rory Gallagher (Fermanagh).
Sugrue runs the Laois Physiotherapy Clinic in Portlaoise, which may have had an impact on his decision, though as one of the younger managers on the circuit, it would be a surprise if he doesn’t return to the inter-county scene in some capacity in the future.
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