Sullivan's tenure as Kildare senior ladies manager brought to an end

Pat Sullivan will leave his role as manager of the Kildare senior ladies football team after a decision was made by the Executive Committee on Tuesday evening.

Sullivan was in charge of the Kildare team for two seasons but in a statement released on Wednesday morning, Kildare LGFA confirmed that he would vacate his position.

“The Executive Committee of the Kildare Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) announce that Pat Sullivan’s term as Manager of the Kildare Senior Ladies Football team will not continue into 2027.

“Pat has managed Kildare Senior Team since October 2024. The Executive would like to place on record its sincere gratitude to Pat, as well as his entire backroom team, for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to Kildare LGFA throughout their tenure.

“We would like to wish Pat and his management team the very best in all their future endeavours,” read the statement.

Sullivan took over Kildare ahead of their return to Division 1 and helped keep Kildare in the top flight during his first season. A famous away Championship victory over Armagh secured Kildare's first-ever place in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-finals, where they lost to Kerry.

Kildare weren’t able to secure safety in Division 1 during Sullivan’s second season in charge but they led in a Leinster Final against Dublin in Croke Park in the last ten minutes before conceding two late goals. Kildare then matched their achievement of reaching the last eight in Ireland before losing to Armagh, when Sullivan led the team less than 24 hours after the tragic passing of his father.

During his time in charge, a combination of retirements and management decisions saw Kildare stalwarts Grace Clifford, Claire Sullivan, Ellen Dowling, Mary Hulgraine and Roisin Byrne leave the panel. Sullivan had begun building a youthful squad that showed signs of being capable of competing with the country's leading teams.

In the immediate aftermath of the season ending defeat to Armagh at the start of this month, Sullivan indicated that he was already making plans for the 2027 season but he will now not get to see those plans through.

Attention now turns to the search for a new manager. Despite relegation from Division 1, the position is likely to attract significant interest given Kildare's recent All-Ireland quarter-final appearances and the emergence of a promising young squad.