Paddy Carr has resigned from his post as Donegal senior football manager with “immediate effect”.
Carr steps aside amid a turbulent time for the county as they sit bottom of Division 1 and need a minor miracle to survive in the League’s top tier.
“Following a discussion with some senior members of the Donegal football team, I want to announce that I’m stepping away from the position of Donegal team Manager with immediate effect,” a statement from Carr read.
“I want nothing more than the best for Donegal and that will never change.”
Carr only took the reins from Declan Bonner five months ago – at the end of October – following a protracted selection process while his resignation adds to the general apathy in the county at present.
Those at the coalface of Donegal GAA have endured a tumultuous few weeks with Karl Lacey stepping down as head of Donegal’s Academy last month after relations with Tír Chonaill chiefs seem to have soured.
Donegal make the trip to Roscommon this Sunday for their final League tie before opening their Ulster SFC campaign away to Down on April 23 and it is not clear yet who will step into the hot-seat.
Former Armagh star Aidan O’Rourke had been working as assistant manager under Carr – while Derry legend Paddy Bradley was also heavily involved in the set-up – and it remains to be seen if one or both will stay involved.
Donegal suffered a damning 1-17 to 0-9 defeat to Mayo on home soil in Ballyboffey last Sunday, after which Carr refuted claims that the various sideshows were having any kind of influence on Donegal’s results.
“No – I wouldn’t say that. Lads, modern county footballers, they exist in their own kind of bubble. I mean, communications between themselves, that’s all they’re concerned about. I wouldn’t be using that as any kind of excuse,” Carr said.
