John Crofton has stood down as Kildare football manager after two years at the helm of the county, citing business and family commitments as the reason for his resignation. The former Sarsfields man over the reigns from Padraig Nolan at the end of 2005 and despite promising league form, Kildare found it difficult to carry those performances into the championship. This season saw the Leinster county qualify for the semi-finals of the NFL but they exited the Leinster championship meekly to Meath while a second round qualifier defeat at home to Louth signalled the death knell of Crofton's involvement with the county. A former selector under Mick O'Dwyer, Crofton is one of the most respected and popular figures within Kildare football, and made his name as a manager with Round Towers who he led to a Leinster club final in 2003. Crofton also featured at full back on the Kildare team that played in the NFL final in 1991. Tweet

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