CONOR Laverty will tonight be confirmed as the new manager of the Down u-20s.

The Kilcoo man, who had been part of Seamus McEnaney’s management team at Monaghan last season, has put together an extremely strong backroom team – and included in that is Meath legend Seán Boylan and former AFL star Marty Clarke.
Interviews were held for the position last night and Laverty is the name that is due to be ratified by the Mourne county board.

Also included in the backroom team will be Declan Morgan and Brendan McVeigh. Ronan McCartan, who guided Saul to the Down Intermediate title this season, is also expected to be involved.

Boylan’s addition is a major boost, and the four-time All-Ireland winner is likely to play an advisory role with the team.

While it hasn’t been confirmed whether or not Laverty will continue with Monaghan in 2021, it is highly unlikely that he will be able to combine the two roles.

Peter Donnelly has already left the Oriel management to return to Tyrone, so ‘Banty’ will have two spots to fill.

Laverty is one of the most highly-rated coaches in Ulster football at present, but has ambitions to manage at the highest level. He will continue to play with Kilcoo in 2021.