Conor Laverty ratified as Down senior manager

FORMER Down forward Conor Laverty has been named as the new manager of the county’s senior football team.

The Down County Board officially rubberstamped his appointment this evening, less than a month after previous manager James McCartan stepped down from the position.

Still playing for reigning All-Ireland club champions Kilcoo, Laverty has already earned a reputation as one of the brightest young coaches in the game.

He was involved with the St Michael’s, Enniskillen set-up that won the Hogan Cup in 2019, had a stint with the Monaghan senior team, and is the full-time Games Development Officer at Trinity College Dublin.

Laverty also has a significant history with Down football at intercounty level. He was part of the team that reached the All-Ireland final in 2010, earned an All-Star nomination in 2012 and captained the side in 2015.

Down have confirmed that he will remain in charge of the county’s U-20 team, whom he led to the Ulster title last year. They also confirmed that Martin Clarke and Declan Morgan (both involved during his time with the U-20s) will be part of his senior set-up going forward.