McNulty to remain as Laois football manager but doubts remain surrounding McCarthy’s future as hurling boss
Laois manager Justin McNulty watches on against Longford in the Leinster Senior Football Championship at Pearse Park. Picture: Alf Harvey.
Justin McNulty looks set to continue as Laois senior football manager, with his name due to go before the next meeting of the County Board on September 17 for ratification. However speculation is mounting that Teddy McCarthy’s term as Senior Hurling manager could be coming to an end after just one year.
The Armagh man had a turbulent year and half at the helm of the team, but an upturn in form during the 2012 championship has seen support for him to be retained grow, and his name was put forward after a recent meeting of the Football Board.
Laois’ run of victories in the Qualifiers, over Carlow, Monaghan, Leitrim and Meath, was their most successful in championship football since 2003, and their final outing of the year, against Dublin, almost resulted in a shock victory against the All-Ireland champions.
He will not be rejoined by his selector, Donie Norton, who has opted to step down after two years with McNulty due to personal reasons. It remains to be seen whether a new selector will need to be appointed, as it is hoped John Mulligan will resume his role, having missed most of last year due to illness.
Noel O’Reilly, who stepped in to act as selector in Mulligan’s absence, is expected to remain on, while Fergal Byron was also promoted to the role of selector, having initially joined the set up as a goalkeeping coach.
At minor level, it is expected that George Doyle will be put forward for a second year in charge despite a disappointing 2012, which saw the team lose both championship games against Wicklow and Longford. The hunt for an U-21 manager will go on, however, as nomination forms have been sent out to clubs, with September 5 the deadline for names to be put forward.
Pat Roe stepped down in the wake of a heavy defeat at the hands of Dublin earlier this year, and it is expected to be a difficult job to fill after Laois’ lack of success at minor and U-21 level in recent years.
In hurling, speculation continues to mount about the future of Laois senior hurling manager Teddy McCarthy, as his reign could be brought to an end just 12 months into a three year term.
At U-21 level, Tony Doran is expected to be returned as manager for a second season having guided Laois to the Leinster final this year.
It is also hoped that Seamus Plunkett, manager of the minor hurlers for the last two years, will be able to stay on. The minors enjoyed wins over Westmeath and Offaly in 2012 on the way to a Leinster semi-final place.
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