Major update on Justin McNulty’s future as Laois GAA senior football manager

Justin McNulty’s name is set to go before the clubs at September’s Laois GAA County Board meeting as the county looks to confirm his continuation as senior football manager.

McNulty completed his initial three-year term in charge following Laois’ exit from the Tailteann Cup at the hands of Down in June, but his future has remained unclear since the conclusion of the campaign.

The former Armagh player returned for a second spell with Laois ahead of the 2024 season, taking over a team that had just been relegated to Division 4.

His first season back proved a hugely successful one, with Laois winning all seven of their league games before defeating Leitrim in Croke Park to claim the Division 4 title. They subsequently reached the Tailteann Cup final, where they were beaten by Down, narrowly missing out on a place in the Sam Maguire Cup for 2025.

Laois remained in Division 3 for the following two seasons, finishing sixth in 2025 before improving to fourth this year with seven points.

Their 2026 campaign also saw them record an impressive nine-point victory over eventual Leinster champions Westmeath, while they comfortably defeated Offaly in the provincial championship before losing to Kildare in the quarter-final.

The Tailteann Cup again provided Laois with an opportunity to make progress. Wins over Wicklow and London saw them reach the quarter-finals, but they were beaten heavily by Down, who brought their campaign to an end.

McNulty said after that defeat that it was “too soon” to discuss his future, but the process of deciding whether he will remain in charge is now moving forward. His name going before the clubs at the September county board meeting means there is now a clear pathway towards a decision on his position.

McNulty previously managed Laois between 2010 and 2013, guiding them to Division 1 promotion and an All-Ireland quarter-final appearance in 2012.

Also seeking ratification at the meeting will be Arles-Kilcruise’s Chris Conway, whose name will go forward for the role of Laois minor football manager for 2027.

Conway was part of the backroom team under former Laois senior football manager Billy Sheehan, who was succeeded by McNulty when the latter returned to the role ahead of the 2024 season.

Both appointments will now go before the Laois clubs for consideration at the September county board meeting.