As tension grew in Offaly hurling circles, Sligo football was attempting to get to grips with Mickey Moran's decision to step down as manager.

Moran, who previously managed his native county Derry, told county board officials and the players of his decision in Markievicz Park soon after Sligo's one-point defeat in the Connacht semi-final last Sunday.

Later he came under pressure to continue but admitted yesterday that he would postpone a final decision until he and his wife, Rita, had returned from a holiday.

"I have been very happy with everything about my association with Sligo. They have been very good to me but travelling 98,000 miles has taken its toll on my health, my family life and my job as a teacher and, though I would hate to let them down, I have to consider the future.

"I will stay with the Sligo junior squad who have won the Connacht championship in that grade until that competition ends. I think that the foundation has been laid for a bright future for the county and I will always be grateful for my time with them, but the travelling is the thing which will decide my attitude in the long run," he said.

Moran clocked up a 260-mile trip from his home in Derry to Tubbercurry for training sessions during the summer and though this was shortened when the training was switched to Markievicz Park and arrangements were being made to move it closer to Grange, north of Sligo town, Moran still seemed reluctant yesterday to take the responsibility on for another year.

"I will make my decision known to the county board and the players as soon as I can," he said.