Padraic Davis confirmed the end of his time in charge of Longford following their heavy defeat to Meath on Sunday in the Leinster SFC.
The Midlanders went to Navan off the back of surviving in Division 3 of the Allianz League and kicking 25 points against Carlow, giving them real hope of winning two provincial games in the same season for the first time since 1988.
But they were outclassed by the Royals, going down by 22 points, and Davis stepped down citing the demands of inter-county management, his job in the property market and his young family.
"It's an unfortunate situation," he said of the big margin of defeat on RTÉ's Sunday Sport.
"We'll have been here down through the years as players, supporters, and now as mentors. It's a very difficult place coming out of there but full credit to Meath - they were at a different level today. With the exception of the first 20 minutes we struggled.
"There is a re-building job after a defeat like that, but these lads will re-build it fairly quickly. I've had a long chat with them in there - I won't be of that (re-building process).
"I wanted to let them know when they were all there together - they deserve that. They have given me everything, as have the backroom staff. It's an unfortunate situation but I don't want them having to deal with this in a month's time.
"We'll get all the bad news out on the one day."
Longford GAA thanked him in a statement posted on Twitter, which read: "Padraic Davis has announced that he is stepping down as Manager.
"Longford GAA whilst disappointed, respect his decision and wish to thank him for all his efforts not alone over the past 3 years as manager but previously as a selector and county player.
"Go raibh maith agat."
Davis led Longford to championship wins over Carlow and Louth, a draw against Kildare and narrow defeats to Tyrone and Louth in his first two years in charge.
Longford finished mid-table in Division 3 in 2019 and 2020 and beat Munster champions Tipperary earlier this month to avoid relegation to Division 4.
