Following defeat in this year’s All-Ireland, McGonigle expressed his disappointment at the absence of Hawk-Eye to verify that a first-half shot from Carla Rowe was a legitimate score which would have leveled the game in the end.
Additionally, McGonigle has also delivered three Leinster senior titles for the capital, a first NFL Division 1 final appearance in 2014, and three All-Ireland U21 titles.
He continued: “I would like to inform you that I have taken the decision not to opt for a fourth term as Dublin Ladies Senior manager.
“I have really enjoyed my three years with Dublin but now feel the time is right for a new voice to help this group of players achieve their ultimate goal of winning an All-Ireland title. The time is also right for me personally to take a much-needed break from management having been involved at senior level for the past six years and to reflect, recharge and refocus.
Gregory McGonigle at the end of the 2016 All-Ireland ladies final. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“I wish to thank Dublin County Board for the opportunity to manage the Dublin senior team and for their continued support, loyalty, trust and friendship over this past three years. Dublin LGFA is fully committed to supporting Dublin teams across all levels in striving for top honours and I wish them continued success.
I would like to thank all of the clubs who provided players to the County panel and who have worked very well with us over the last three years. I am acutely aware how tough it can be on clubs owing to the huge level of commitment that is required of players to play at county level which is similar to that at inter county men’s. I hope the juvenile players within your clubs are equally inspired by their female senior stars of today as much as their male counterparts. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí.
“I would like to thank everyone involved with the Dublin management team over this past three years. All of whom have been brilliant in working so hard to bring success to Dublin with many having sacrificed numerous personal events within their own lives for the good of the group. I am honoured to have created friendships over the three years that I know will last a lifetime.
To the group of players, I struggle to find the words to sum up the desire, appreciation and love you have for your county. Genuinely, it has been a huge honour to have coached you all and to have gotten to know you as people, most definitely class acts on and off the field.
“We shared many great days together and have loads of memories from great journeys starting in 2014. I am disappointed that we could not win the much-coveted senior All-Ireland, but you are closer than ever before and always remember a grain of rice can tip the scale.
Dublin's Sinead Finnegan during the 2016 All-Ireland final against Cork. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
“In the last three years (2014–2016), I would like to think we have continually raised the standards around the senior set-up. Especially by putting in place structures that bring young players through to senior level and that these structures will be sustained long into the future.
“I was delighted to have been involved in a small way in the winning of three All-Ireland U21 titles, three senior Leinster titles (completing a first five-in-a-row) and reaching three All-Ireland senior finals along with competing in the Counties first NFL division, one final back in 2014, along with the many numerous personal accolades our players have received, including eight All-Star Awards with I’m sure with more to come on the 12th November next.
“I strongly believe the amount of big games that this team have played over the past three years will stand to them while developing and strengthening them both mentally and physically in order to finally deliver an All-Ireland title, which I expect them to do in 2017, De réir a chéile a thógtar na caisleáin.” The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Dublin ladies football boss steps down after three All-Ireland final appearances
DUBLIN LADIES FOOTBALL manager Gregory McGonigle has resigned after three years in charge.
McGonigle guided the Dublin senior team to three consecutive All-Ireland appearances since his ratification in 2014, losing out to Cork on all three occasions.
Following defeat in this year’s All-Ireland, McGonigle expressed his disappointment at the absence of Hawk-Eye to verify that a first-half shot from Carla Rowe was a legitimate score which would have leveled the game in the end.
Additionally, McGonigle has also delivered three Leinster senior titles for the capital, a first NFL Division 1 final appearance in 2014, and three All-Ireland U21 titles.
In a statement issued by the Dublin LGFA on behalf of McGonigle, the Derry man paid tribute to the players and said that the “time is right for a new voice”.
He continued: “I would like to inform you that I have taken the decision not to opt for a fourth term as Dublin Ladies Senior manager.
“I have really enjoyed my three years with Dublin but now feel the time is right for a new voice to help this group of players achieve their ultimate goal of winning an All-Ireland title. The time is also right for me personally to take a much-needed break from management having been involved at senior level for the past six years and to reflect, recharge and refocus.
“I wish to thank Dublin County Board for the opportunity to manage the Dublin senior team and for their continued support, loyalty, trust and friendship over this past three years. Dublin LGFA is fully committed to supporting Dublin teams across all levels in striving for top honours and I wish them continued success.
“I would like to thank everyone involved with the Dublin management team over this past three years. All of whom have been brilliant in working so hard to bring success to Dublin with many having sacrificed numerous personal events within their own lives for the good of the group. I am honoured to have created friendships over the three years that I know will last a lifetime.
“We shared many great days together and have loads of memories from great journeys starting in 2014. I am disappointed that we could not win the much-coveted senior All-Ireland, but you are closer than ever before and always remember a grain of rice can tip the scale.
“In the last three years (2014–2016), I would like to think we have continually raised the standards around the senior set-up. Especially by putting in place structures that bring young players through to senior level and that these structures will be sustained long into the future.
“I was delighted to have been involved in a small way in the winning of three All-Ireland U21 titles, three senior Leinster titles (completing a first five-in-a-row) and reaching three All-Ireland senior finals along with competing in the Counties first NFL division, one final back in 2014, along with the many numerous personal accolades our players have received, including eight All-Star Awards with I’m sure with more to come on the 12th November next.
“I strongly believe the amount of big games that this team have played over the past three years will stand to them while developing and strengthening them both mentally and physically in order to finally deliver an All-Ireland title, which I expect them to do in 2017, De réir a chéile a thógtar na caisleáin.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Ireland to face France and Australia in Women’s Rugby World Cup pool
4 unmissable fights flying completely under the radar at UFC 205
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Dublin ladies boss steps down Dublin LGFA Gregory McGonigle Gregory McGonigle steps down Wave Goodbye