Two inter-county managers have stepped down in the last 24 hours

Two men who did sterling work for their counties, Waterford football’s John Owens and Carlow hurling’s Kevin Ryan, have stepped away from the inter-county game.

They don’t always say it when inter-county managers hang up the bainisteoir bib but John Owens and Kevin Ryan will be hard men to replace by Waterford and Carlow respectively.

Owens announced his decision last night after three years in charge of the Déise footballers. Owens gained promotion to Division 3 in his first season in charge, a huge achievement for the county. And while their Championship performances fell short this year they were unlucky not to get past Wicklow in the Qualifiers.

A statement from the Waterford County Board read: "John Owens, senior football manager, has stepped down from the position at the end of his term. Thanks to John for three years of work and commitment."

Just up the coast a bit, the Carlow hurling community have also lost their manager. Kevin Ryan took over as Carlow manager in 2008 and immediately led the team to back-to-back Christy Ring Cups. The season just gone he achieved promotion to the second tier of hurling, Division 1B.

It is reported that Ryan left his position by mutual consent with the board but fans will wonder how they will get on next term against the likes of Limerick and Dublin.