Former Laois footballer appointed new Courtwood manager

Former Laois footballer Gary Kavanagh has been appointed as the new manager of the Courtwood footballers.

The Stradbally native, who won club championships in 1997, 1998 and 2006, will take over from Eddie Kinsella.

The latter left the role after three years in charge to take over as the Laois U-20 manager this season.

Since Kavanagh retired he has held a number of managerial roles.

He took charge of the Ballylinan footballers in 2015 and 2016 before then being appointed as a selector with the Laois senior footballers in 2017 under Peter Creedon.

That also saw Kavanagh double up his role and manage the Laois U-21 footballers.

After that, he crossed the border and took over at Gracefield in Offaly where he has been for the last two years.

Gary Kavanagh takes over a Courtwood side that won the Intermediate championship in 2018.

They defeated Arles-Kilcruise in Round 1 of the senior championship in 2019 but defeats to Portlaoise and then Ballylinan ended their campaign in Round 3.

Meanwhile, a number of other Laois football clubs have confirmed that their managers from 2019 are back for 2020.

Portarlington, who reached the semi finals in 2019, have reappointed Martin Murphy while fellow semi finalists Ballyfin have also brought back Killian Fitzpatrick.

Kevin Doogue is back with Graiguecullen while Hugh Kenny will remain in charge of Arles-Killeen with Lar Wall is staying on with neighbours Arles-Kilcruise.

Defeated Intermediate finalists Clonaslee have retained the services of former player Conor Gorman while Junior side Barrowhouse have brought back Stradbally native Billy Delaney for a second season.

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source https://www.laoistoday.ie/2020/02/06/former-laois-footballer-appointed-new-courtwood-manager/