The hunger for success, allied with some political rumblings of the Offaly County Board, has left sacked football manager Paul O'Kelly in a disappointed and confused state.

"I am not involved in the politics of the county board at all. I was appointed by five people to do a three-year job while seven months into it I am dismissed," he said last night.

This follows just a week after Westmeath manager Luke Dempsey resigned after being requested to re-interview for his position. The success of Laois under Mick O'Dwyer appears to have sparked an impatient reaction from their neighbours.

O'Kelly had begun preparations for next year already by setting up a review programme, that included the players input, but was told by the football review committee of 11 members, 10 sitting, to cease any activities until their process was completed.

This committee decided not to recommend his reappointment and at Tuesday's county board meeting in Tullamore delegates voted, 38 to 24 in a secret ballot, to remove him from the post.

"The main reason was we did not feel he was the correct man to bring Offaly football to another level," said county chairman Tommy Byrne. "We felt their was a bit more in them than we got out this year. The drawn match against Laois in the championship was the high point."

The main conflict arose in relation to the absence of the committee's 11th member Jim Buckley, also the football secretary, who was in America when the six-day review process, that included four meetings, took place. As a result Buckley has stated his intention to resign at the next executive meeting.

Buckley's absence from the decision making had a detrimental effect on the former manager's fortunes as he was a keen supporter. "I feel more for him," said O'Kelly. "He has been incredibly loyal to all the previous managers: Tommy Lyons, Padraig Nolan and myself. His mindset was all about Offaly's progression but he was denied his county board right."

O'Kelly was further incensed by what he felt were allegations that the players were not in support of him. He said of the third meeting: "At the county board review meeting the 10 people in the room looked me in the eye and said the players were widely consulted.

"The manner of questioning was neutral and negative, I only wish I had brought a tape recorder or witness into the meeting. Some of those people were friends. If I had realised where the meeting was coming from I would have walked out. I was quiet innocent in that regard.

"What they have managed to do is create a power vacuum. They have stripped away the player's support.

"All I can say to the next manager is watch out. They even denied me an exit interview."

Several players have since come out in support of him, including county captain Cathal Daly who expressed disappointment with the way things worked out.

"The whole thing has gone political. I definitely would have liked him to continue. He was a gentleman and had the best intentions for the players."

Byrne refused to reveal the results of the committee's discussions with the players and also categorically denied that a manager has been lined up to replace O'Kelly.

"I delivered the committee message but all the members were in agreement. It was a painful process as many of the committee knew Paul O'Kelly personally. However, we won't be getting into a slagging match in the press."

A committee of seven, including five delegates, Byrne and the county secretary Christy Todd will be set up next Monday to decide on suitable candidates for the vacant role.