Conor Laverty to be named as new Down manager

Kilcoo forward Conor Laverty will be confirmed as the new manager of Down on Monday.

Current Down under-20 manager Laverty will take over from James McCartan, who stepped down in July despite indications that he would remain in charge in for a second season.

Laverty, who is still playing with his club, had been heavily linked with the position following Paddy Tally's departure at the end of the 2021 season, but he confirmed to RTÉ Sport last November that he was no longer interested in taking on the role.

It was understood that Jim McGuinness was to form part of the backroom team along with Martin Clarke, but the Donegal man distanced himself from getting involved.

Clarke will be in his backroom team this time around, RTÉ understands, with Declan Morgan also set to be involved.

Laverty guided the county's U20s to Ulster glory in 2021 following a thrilling extra-time win over Monaghan. Clarke and Morgan were in his coaching team for that triumph.

In March of this year, he was part of the Kilcoo team that won the All-Ireland Club title for the first time in their history.

It was a difficult season for Down as they were relegated to Division 3 and suffered a first-round Tailteann Cup exit at the hands of Cavan.