By Cian O'Connell

Eamonn Kelly has decided not to continue as Offaly hurling manager for the 2017 season. 

Former Kerry boss Kelly met with Offaly GAA officials this weekend and released a statement outling his reasons to step down. “Having reviewed the season just gone and considered the increasing personal and business demands on my time at present, I have informed Offaly County Board that I will not be in a position to continue as manager of the Senior Hurling team for 2017," Kelly said.

"I want to thank all those who assisted me during the year. In particular, I want to thank my coach, Conor Gleeson, selectors, Gary Cahill and Ciaran McDonald, Performance manager Emmett Egan and the entire backroom team, all of whom gave me great assistance, loyalty and support and made a hugely valuable contribution to team preparation. 

"Most of all, I want to thank the Offaly players. It was a privilege and a pleasure to serve as team manager to such a fine group of hurlers and people. They offered me every co-operation, commitment and trust at all times and I want to wish all of them every success for the future.

"I knew from when I first met Offaly County Board officers in 2015 that they really want to see improvement in the county’s hurling fortunes and I want to thank them for their support and wish them well."

Kelly believes that Offaly can make further progress in the coming years. "Hurling needs counties like Offaly to compete consistently at the top level and my aim and that of my management team was to help them make progress towards that goal. 

"I believe there is an excellent squad of players in Offaly with the potential to make significant progress in the coming years. I look forward to watching them do that and become a real and persistent force again at the top level.”