Brian Barry
GAA Editor @BrianGBarry
Laois GAA announces high-profile backroom team with Seamus Cheddar Plunkett confirmed as hurling manager
Seamus Cheddar Plunkett will be joined by John Sugrue, Francis Forde and Donach O'Donnell as he takes charge of the Laois senior hurling team for the second time.
Last Updated: 02/02/21 5:12pm
Seamus 'Cheddar' Plunkett has been rubber-stamped for a second stint as Laois hurling manager, as the county board confirmed a high-profile backroom team.
Plunkett, who had been officially proposed in December, was ratified on Monday night.
He previously took charge of the county between 2012 and 2016. He remained in the game in the interim, managing Kilkenny side James Stephens last year.
There are some big names on his backroom team, including former O'Moore County football boss John Sugrue. The Kerry native led the footballers to back-to-back National League promotions, and reached the last 12 in the championship for two years running.
Donach O'Donnell comes in as a hurling coach, having previously worked with the Limerick senior hurlers. Meanwhile former player and All-Ireland winning selector with Galway Francis Forde will be an analyst.
Leo Tiernan and David Matthews make up the S&C team, while Arthur Dunne, Conor Bilton and JP Campion also come on board.
Plunkett takes over from former Kilkenny star Eddie Brennan, who enjoyed two relatively successful years with the side, stunning Dublin in 2019 and coming close to another upset against Clare in 2020.
The county will compete in the Leinster Championship in 2021, alongside Kilkenny, Galway, Dublin, Wexford and Antrim.
The draw for the provincial championship, which was due to take place next week, has been postponed.
