Aidan O’Rourke has stepped down as Donegal senior football manager following yesterday’s All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final defeat to Tyrone.

O’Rourke came in as interim manager following Paddy Carr’s departure in March, having served as head coach during the five months Carr was in charge of the Tir Chonaill men.

With former Derry forward Paddy Bradley acting as his assistant coach, the team’s performances improved under O’Rourke to the point where they were a game away from the last eight in the Sam Maguire Cup race before the 1-18 to 0-13 defeat to the Red Hands in Ballybofey yesterday spelled an end to their season.

Speaking after that eight-point loss, the Armagh native told The Irish News that he would be stepping down from his post.

"Listen, halfway through the season we were asked to take on a job to try and support the players," O'Rourke stated.

"We've done what was asked of us and we’ve done it to the best of our ability and we’re happy to hand it back now for Donegal to find a Donegal solution.

"There's a brilliant group of lads there. They are driven and they want to progress and you couldn’t have asked for any more from them on the pitch.

"That aspect of things is the bit I love about it. Once you’re on the pitch with the players and everyone’s focused, that really was enjoyable.

"There’s a lot of quality there, a lot of emerging quality too that needs moulding."

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