Oliver Short and Joey Cunningham have stepped down as joint managers of Crossmaglen Rangers.

Their resignations come just days after Cross lost to Errigal Ciaran in a marathon battle in the Ulster Club Championship.

The Armagh title holders fell in last Sunday's quarter-final second replay at Clones.

But Short said the decision was not a knee-jerk reaction to that defeat.

He pointed out that Rangers had regularly been deprived of their top players because of county commitments.

'Enough in reserve'

"Both Joey and I felt it was not going to get any easier next year with Armagh defending their All-Ireland title," Short told the Irish News.

"Keady went down last year because they did not see their county men all year.

"Crossmaglen have enough in reserve to compete in the league, but the problem has to be addressed."

Short and Cunningham intend to continue their involvement with Crossmaglen in other capacities."