O’Donnell, Casey and Bohan resign
Fergal O’Donnell has resigned as joint manager of the Roscommon senior football team.
The Boyle resident along with two Boyle selectors David Casey and Stephen Bohan issued a statement last night (Tuesday) claiming “a concerted effort to undermine and disparage us”.
The statement can be read below:
“It is with much regret and disappointment that myself, Stephen Bohan and David Casey have decided to resign from our roles as joint manager and selectors with the Roscommon senior football team. “Having been asked 12 months ago to contribute to making Roscommon a force again over a three-year term, we were wholeheartedly committed to achieving that goal. Our decision to depart now is made in the best interests of Roscommon football and with a view to removing the inevitable distraction that would result from a potentially divisive contest for the position of manager between myself and Kevin (McStay).
“Recently, a concerted effort has been made (outside of management and players) to undermine and disparage us and it is especially disappointing and damaging that those involved purport to be concerned about the promotion of GAA within the county.
“We want to thank the backroom team, the County Board, our generous sponsors, our loyal supporters, Club Rossie and most importantly the players for their dedication, sacrifice and commitment to Roscommon’s cause.
“Roscommon has a hugely talented group of footballers. Now, as supporters, we share the hope that they will continue to learn, develop and ultimately fulfill their potential. To this end, we wish the team every success in the future.”
– Fergal O’Donnell, David Casey, Stephen Bohan.
County Board Statement
In a statement issued Wednesday morning, Roscommon County Board had this to say:
Yesterday evening Tuesday, Roscommon GAA County Board Chairperson Seamus Sweeney and County Board Secretary Brian Carroll met with the joint managers of the Roscommon Senior Football team Fergal O Donnell and Kevin McStay to review 2016.
During the meeting Fergal O Donnell announced his intention to resign from his position as joint manager of the Senior Football team along with team selectors David Casey and Stephen Bohan with immediate effect.
Roscommon GAA would like to take this opportunity to thank Fergal O Donnell for his long and dedicated service to Roscommon GAA and also thanks to David Casey and Stephen Bohan who have been great servants of the GAA in Roscommon. We wish themselves and their families the very best for the future.
Roscommon GAA Management Committee will meet tonight to discuss the senior team management for 2017.