Billy Sheehan steps down as Laois football manager

Billy Sheehan has departed as manager of the Laois footballers after two seasons in charge.

RTÉ Sport understands that the Tralee native, who played for the O'Moore County for 12 years, left after discussions with the county board in recent days.

The former Emo and St Jude's club man had been appointed on a two-year term with the option of a third, pending a review.

Laois were relegated to Division 4 of the Allianz Football League last year, in Sheehan's first campaign, and were beaten by Wicklow and Westmeath (Tailteann Cup) in the championship.

They narrowly missed out on promotion back to Division 3 this year, finishing third in the bottom tier, and again competed in the Tailteann Cup after a 27-point defeat to Dublin in the Leinster SFC.

Laois narrowly avoided elimination in the Tailteann group stages with a late equaliser against London, but improved to beat Fermanagh and Limerick and reach the semi-finals.

However, Down ended their year on a crushing 8-16 to 2-12 scoreline Sunday before last.