Kieran McGeeney expressed his gratitude to his former Kildare players, backroom staff and supporters in a statement released on Wednesday night.

The former Kildare boss was due to appear on the Second Captains Live show on RTÉ2 last night, but withdrew from the programme and issued a statement following his departure from the manager’s job.

“In order to draw a line under the last few weeks I feel it is in the best interests of Kildare football to release a statement so everybody can move on and get things in place for next year,” the statement began, before thanking his fellow management team and background staff as well as the Kildare medical team.

He also praised the fundraising work of Club Kildare and the support he received from Kildare fans during his tenure in charge.

“To the supporters it has been an absolute pleasure to be part of this journey over the last six years,” the statement read. “Thank you for all your support both in the good days and the bad, your passion for football has been matched only by your generosity and kindness towards the whole Kildare county set up.”

McGeeney also thanked the clubs before finishing off his statement by addressing his former players.

“Finally, I want to emphasise to all the players that it has been an honour to stand beside you and to work with you. Although we never got the silver ware we hoped for I know that it was not for the lack of effort or desire.

“There has been a lot of changes over the last twelve months and I really believe with the emergence of new talent alongside the experience and ability that exists in the squad means its only a matter of time before Kildare achieve what they have been working towards.”