JASON RYAN HAS tendered his resignation as manager of the Kildare senior football team.
Ryan had two years at the helm in the county and also worked as an assistant to previous manager Kieran McGeeney in 2012.
His departure was was announced at this evening’s County Board meeting, before being confirmed in a statement in which Kildare GAA thanked Ryan “for his level of dedication and commitment during his time with the county”.
Selector Morgan O’Callaghan was among those who took to social media to pay tribute to Ryan for his contribution.
“Very privileged to have worked with Jason Ryan for 3 years! Unbelievably hard worker with huge passion and enthusiasm for the game. A real gent,” said O’Callaghan.
“It is with regret that I wish to resign from my position as Kildare senior football manager,” said Ryan. “It is not a decision that I have taken lightly. I have been involved in inter-county management since October 2007 and the challenges and time requirements of the job have taken their toll.
“I wish to thank the Kildare County Board for giving me the opportunity to work as manager for the last two seasons and to Kieran McGeeney for giving me the opportunity to work with him as selector in 2013. It has been a privilege.
“I would like to thank the players for their hard work and dedication to Kildare. Keep the faith men! Above all I would like to thank the wonderful people who made up our entire backroom team. Over the last two years their honesty, hard work, commitment and passion for Kildare football cannot be overstated.
“During my three years in Kildare I have learned a great deal and have had some wonderful experiences. In particular the scenes that I experienced at the end of game against Cork will remain with me for the rest of my life.”
In the first of Ryan’s two seasons as Kildare manager, the Lilywhites lost a Leinster semi-final to Meath. Following wins against Down and Clare in the qualifiers, they were eventually eliminated by Monaghan just before the quarter-final stages.
This year saw Kildare comprehensively beaten by Dublin in the Leinster semi-finals but they rallied well in the qualifiers to overcome Offaly, Longford and Cork before losing heavily to Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.
Kildare suffered back-to-back Allianz League relegations during Ryan’s two seasons as manager, dropping from Division 1 in 2014 to Division 3 for 2016.
Former Kildare captain and ex-U21 boss Glenn Ryan is expected to be among the front-runners to replace Jason Ryan.
I don’t think anything will change with whoever comes in. Kildare don’t have the players to compete at the top.
No excuses for it. Kildare have a huge population and great resources and plenty of people with deep pockets. Put an underage plan in place and get in with it.
As someone from Laois & still known as the enemy by some Lilywhites, I think Kildare have plenty of footballing talent but like us we need to find a bit of self-belief and some sponsors with deep pockets ;)
Well Kildare won a Leinster U21 in 2013, reached the last 3 Minor Leinster finals and won 2 of those. There is definitely some talent coming through – the potential is there if the right man gets the job
Couldn’t agree more
For too long Kildare GAA have put to much emphasis on appointing a top rate manager instead of developing top Tate players.
And by the the way the much hyped Geezer left them on a worst state than he found them.
That’s ridiculous. When he “found” them they had been easily beaten by Meath in Leinster and then knocked out at home by Louth by 6 points. The year before they’d been beaten by Offaly before being hammered by 9 points by Derry.
Under McGeeney they beat Meath 6 times in a row including twice in one year, beat Derry in Celtic Park by 11 points, Offaly in O’Moore park by 13, got to 5 quarter finals (and a semi) in a row and were in Div 1. Remember the bizarre free the Dubs needed to get past them in 2011? That was the same year that Donegal needed a perfectly good goal to be ruled out to take them to extra time. Remember Benny Coulter being in the square for 6 months to score the goal that kept them out of the All-Ireland? You think they were better off losing to Offaly?
He took over the U21s and developed some of the best young players they’ve had in years; Paddy Brophy, Seán Hurley, Niall Kelly, Paul Cribbin, Fergal Conway, Dan Flynn
Now players are opting not to play at all. Brophy and Hurley went to Australia – fair enough. But Tomás O’Connor and Hugh McGrillen withdrew and David Hyland and Darroch Mulhall quit halfway through the season.
Why? Made it to the last eight in ye country, that’s a decent achievement
Wont be Doyle, he’s still plays with his club sure. Not enough managerial experience (if any at all), Glen Ryan will probably get it.
What about the past manager before Ryan who was giving a open cheque book with no experience and has left kildare in a awful situation… Ryan was only picking up the pieces after kieran mcgeeney…. Sure for Fec sake Ryan had more experience after Wexford them Mcgeeney ever had…
“Left Kildare in a awful situation”
In Div 1 after 5 years of continuously getting to at least the Quarter Finals and an U21 team that were All-Ireland finalists?
Who did he beat in those years? He should of beaten Dublin twice (with an extra man in both games) but bottled it on the sideline. He also had two of Kildare’s greatest ever players at his disposal during most of those years. He meddled too much with that u-21 team which eventually was his downfall.
Meddled? He was their manager!
He messed Tom Cribbin around which lead to Clane instigating the ruse against him which cost him hos job.
Your happy with “at least quarter finals” ?? After the money that man spent and what he asked the players to do and then to have no plan B or really a plan A…
That’s the best result we have had all year!!
Great manager. Hope he comes to Laois now.
Next Cork football manager.
What about Johnny Doyle?
As good as anyone. Always best to go with a man from the county who knows the strengths/weaknesses and who knows the politics of the county board. Doyle has as much knowledge as anyone and played at the highest level.
About a month overdue
Next Tipp manager? They said they’d make a statement with the next appointment!
Jason Ryan? He’s a spoofer. They’d be better going for someone like Jack O’Connor. Another county with plenty of money for resources and managers but is disappointing year in year out.
tipp would be ideal for him
bring micko back I’d say
Glen Ryan ..Anthony Rainbow and Johnny Doyle ..now that would be great to see .
Think he bought into mcgeeny’s spoofing when they were working together. Kildares problem is too many of the lads coming through think they have already made it and are throwing the shapes and poses all over the place.
Who would want that job? Will have to be some one from the county,no one will touch them
Kildare has one of the highest populations in the country with over 30 clubs. We can’t seem produce a good senior team. The problem for years now that the county board are not looking after the underage structure not bringing in young players through. There are couple of players on that panel too long and there seems to be no competition for places.
Starting to get worried that he might. Be staying anyway how he’s gone best. Of knuckle to him in the future. Now what about the county board? Dis they not appoint and keep him? Or. Have I got that wrong?
Any chance of that in English?
think it meant to read: Was starting to get worried he might be staying on. Anyways best of luck to him in the future. As for the rest of it I haven’t a clue what he’s trying to say
turn on autocorrect man
Aww damn, I always enjoyed the Dubs hammering Kildare more when he was in charge than McGeeny, Ryan was always so bitter, 2nd half of this years Leinster proves it, how Kildare finished with 15 is beyond me!