Martin O'Neill has been an inspirational sporting figure since he first came to prominence as a young GAA star with both Derry minors and St Malachy's College in Belfast almost half a century ago.
His stellar soccer career then took him from Rosario YC and Distillery FC to the highest levels of the club and international game before he became an equally distinguished coach.
He will always have been well aware that the role of a manager is a precarious one, and his departure from the Republic of Ireland post yesterday after a disappointing run of results will not have come as a complete surprise.
However, he is clearly not ready to consider retirement and his immediate declaration that he is ready for his next adventure in football will have been widely noted.
