County Chairman Greg Kelly opened the issue.

“Delegates deserve a little explanation on the issue,” said the Chairman.

“As you know the manager was re-appointed by the county executive though we knew and the manager also knew that there were some player issues.

“It was felt however that these could be overcome and we didn’t want to dilly dally on the issue.”

At a subsequent meeting between county officers, senior team management and players’ representatives matters surfaced which precipitated McGrath’s resignation as county manager.

“I don’t want to go into the gory details,” said Kelly. “But there was a breakdown in relationships and the manager resigned.”

The chairman went on to say, “One of the themes when I took up the post of chairman was unity of purpose and I don’t want to get to a position where players are demonised.

“It is important that we now put this behind us and move forward and that we get the new appointment right.

“That is the reason why we have been moving quickly.”

The appointment process is already underway with clubs having been asked to nominate possible candidates.

An appointments committee was also proposed, five members in total, the county chairman, county secretary, county assistant treasurer, a former county player, Tom Brewster and an independent outside member, former Ulster GAA chairman Martin McAviney.

From the floor there was to be only muted comment on Pete McGrath’s exit and the general tenor was that what had happened, had happened and that there was little option but to move on.

Should the clubs fail to nominate then the appointments committee has been authorised to head hunt an appropriate successor to McGrath.