Seamus McEnaney will not be reapplying for the position of Monaghan manager in 2011, he announced on Wednesday.
While he was set to be reappointed by the County Board earlier this month, club delegates voted instead to seek nominations for the post. These will be returned on September 3rd.
McEnaney receieved 'unanimous' support from his panel but decided against putting his name forward in the nominations process.
"Last week I released a statement that said I would take some time to think about the Monaghan County Board’s decision to open up the manager’s position for 2011 to nominations," McEnaney said.
"Today I am confirming that I will not have my name submitted as a nominee for the Manager’s position for 2011. I believe that this is in the best interest of Monaghan football and indeed every decision I have ever made as Monaghan team manager has been guided by that principle.
"I would like to thank the Monaghan County Board and in particular John Connolly, the chairman who gave me the opportunity to manage my native county team, a post I was honoured and privileged to hold. Thank you to my club Corduff Gaels for their devoted support. I must also pay tribute to the Monaghan clubs, supporters and team sponsors, all of whom contributed to the progress of Monaghan football.
"To every member of my backroom team and every person that helped in any way over the six years, only you know who you are, I am sincerely thankful. A special thanks to Niall McNally, who was my co-ordinator and a great help from day one.
"I would like to offer my sincere thanks to this group of players as their commitment, endeavour, attitude and loyalty to the progress of Monaghan football over the last six years has been enormous. The players are the jewel in the crown.
"We, as a management team strived to give them the best so that they could get the best out of themselves. We built and shared a special bond.
"I am leaving with a life-time of memories from the good days and bad. To give just a small example of the progress this group of players has given Monaghan football, I was one of only 20 Monaghan supporters in Carlow for a NFL game in February 2004 and to witness 20,000 Monaghan supporters in Clones in July 2010 highlights the incredible work these players have done. This progress has been driven from the front by our two outstanding captains, Vinny Corey and Damien Freeman.
"My family are steeped in the GAA, we love and support its activities at every level. My family have supported me totally on this wonderful journey. None more so than my wife Rosemarie and my four children, and for this I am very grateful to them. My time as manager brought many demands with it but also brought enormous enjoyment to our family life too.
"For a team to progress you need everybody going the one direction; management, players, county board, clubs, supporters and sponsors. This has been the solid foundation that has served us well over the last 6 years and it is with this that I would encourage everybody concerned to move on and continue to make further progress as the progression of Monaghan football is of the upmost importance at this time.
"I leave this post wishing the team every success in the year ahead."
During his tenure, which began when he took over from Colm Coyle in 2004, 'Banty' helped Monaghan to the top tier of the league as Division 2 champions.
They appeared in Ulster SFC finals in both 2007 and 2010, but were bested by Tyrone on both occasions.