Down are searching for a new manager after Paddy O'Rourke's three-year tenure was brought to an abrupt end at a meeting of the county board last night.
O'Rourke, who took over from Pete McGrath in 2003, carried the can for the disappointing performances in this year's championship which saw them exit from the qualifiers with barely a whimper.
Despite receiving the backing county chairman Jerry Quinn in the wake of that defeat, of 1-7 to 0-4 loss to Sligo was to prove his last match in charge as the board decided a change of management was needed.