O'Rourke quits as Armagh boss

Published Sunday, 01 July 2012

Paddy O'Rourke has resigned from his role as Senior Football Team Manager after Armagh lost to Roscommon in the All-Ireland qualifiers.

Former Armagh manager Paddy O'Rourke (© Presseye)

It was a bad weekend for Ulster clubs as Armagh, Fermanagh and Derry crashed out of the qualifiers after all three lost their first round games.

Armagh's defeat against Roscommon on Sunday was a major shock, with the Orchard County looking in control of the contest in the first half.

However, the Connacht minnows limited their opponents to just two scores in the second half, as they ran out winners by 1-11 to 1-09.

After the defeat Armagh County Committee announced that O'Rourke's three year tenure as manager had "reached its conclusion".

"Paddy has informed the County Chairman that he will not be seeking it renewed," a statement said.

"The board would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Paddy who has been a true gentleman, a pleasure to work with and for the level of commitment he showed to Armagh, which often went well over and beyond the call of duty.

"We encountered many enjoyable days under his stewardship for which we will be eternally grateful."

Elsewhere on Sunday Cavan came out on top against the Ernemen in an all-Ulster clash at Brewster Park.

The Breffni men scored three second half goals in a stunning fight back to deny Peter Canavan's men the chance to progress to the second round.

On Saturday night, Derry were dumped out of the All-Ireland series in controversial fashion as they lost 0-17 - 2-8 to Longford.

Oak Leaf boss John Brennan was incensed as his side had a late equalising goal ruled out for an infringement.

Cavan and Antrim, who beat London in Saturday afternoon's qualifier at Ruislip, will join Monaghan and Tyrone in the draw for the second round, which takes place on Monday.