Lyons departs uncrowned from Parnell

Gaelic Games: He walked away in the same way he had walked in - jovial, amicable and doing it his way. What happened in the intervening three years wasn't always so suave but Tommy Lyons last night formally ended his term as Dublin senior football manager.

Parnell Park was calm and a little emotional and all that was missing was the old Frank Sinatra standard, My Way

So as of this morning, the Dublin County Board begin the process of finding a replacement. Lyons and his three selectors, Dave Billings, Paddy Canning and Paul Caffrey, leave behind a work in progress that won't be easily finished. Any list of candidates is expected to be short and sweet. For now even names like Brian Mullins, John O'Mahony and Brian Talty are only being whispered and no one seems confident about who will even want to take over.

No such lack of confidence in Meath, however, where last night the county reappointed Seán Boylan for a remarkable 23rd consecutive term as senior football manager. He defeated the only opposing candidate on the night, Eamon Barry, on a vote of 50-37. The ballot comprised club and county delegates.

For Lyons, though, the future without Dublin football seemingly won't be entered into with any regrets. He opened last night's impromptu press conference with the sort of mischievous attitude that had landed him the job in the first place.

"It's a great honour to be here," he started, "and I'm delighted to accept a new three-year term as Dublin manager " That was quickly laughed off and Lyons got down to the serious business of saying his goodbyes.

"They were three years that I enjoyed immensely. I've had three great lieutenants. Yeah, there were highs and lows, but winning wouldn't be so nice if losing wasn't so terrible.

"But I felt that three years in this seat is enough for any sane man. As I was the manager it was ultimately my call. And I want to leave Dublin on a positive note, because I have genuinely enjoyed it. I developed a great friendship with the selectors, and I've a lot of other people to thank."

Much of the talk since Dublin's defeat to Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter-final last month was of the possibility of Lyons seeking an extra year on top of his original three-year contract. He first spoke with county secretary John Costello last Tuesday, and again last night - and then made his decision.

"In fairness the county board were keen we do another year. We're happy with the job we've done, and we wish everybody well going forward.

"But the truth about wanting another year is, well, not really. When I sat here in November of 2001 I knew this was going to be a huge commitment. And I said it would be three years, win or lose."

Earlier in the evening Lyons met with his panel for the last time. All but two of the 34 showed up (the absent ones being on holiday) and it was to the players that Lyons directed his strongest words of praise.

"These men are developing and growing as the years go by, and I'm sure these guys will deliver. The commitment they gave us was fantastic, and if I were to say anything about the players it would be that the loyalty to themselves and the management was second to none.

"Our ambition was to win the Sam Maguire. But if our record is failure then I can live with failure. I've no regrets, because I know I can look anyone in the eye and say the management and the players and everybody gave this 110 per cent. Nothing was ever asked that the players didn't do.

"There are a lot of issues in Dublin football, and I will engage the county board about how Dublin should go forward. But that's not for tonight."

County board chairman John Bailey interjected by saying Dublin football under Lyons couldn't be deemed a failure. Winning the All-Ireland under-21 title for the first time was just one success not often appreciated.

"It hasn't been a negative three years as some people have said. They've been the third most successful Dublin management team of the past 40 years. And they looked after Dublin football in a magnificent way, and we thank them sincerely for the work they've done."

As for Lyons' future, the question of taking over another county took precedence - especially with another high-profile county in Galway on the look out: "Sure John (O'Mahony) could come up on helicopter and I could do the return leg," he joked. "But sure who knows what the future will bring?"

He said he was offered a job earlier in the day - but it wasn't Galway - and didn't rule out a return to Dublin somewhere down the road. He also made it clear that any one of the current selectors might stay on.

"There is no barring any of these three lads getting involved, either fronting a new management team, or being part of it. But the process has to be done right, and so far it has. I was given two or three weeks to get my space. And I'm here tonight with my final decision."

Bailey expanded on the exact process of finding a replacement: "I think the last time we did it we did it wrongly. These situations have to be handled sensibly and very carefully. This has been handled perfectly so far. I haven't spoken to anyone yet, nor would I. It's only after tonight that we'll start looking at tomorrow."

Two wing backs, Kerry's Tomás Ó Sé and Kilkenny hurler JJ Delaney, have been named Vodafone Players of the Month for August. Ó Sé's display in the All-Ireland semi-final against Derry helped copper-fasten the accolade for last month.

Delaney, the current Hurler of the Year, was outstanding in the All-Ireland semi-final win over Munster champions Waterford.