Dempsey named new manager of Limerick footballers

Ray Dempsey has been named as the new manager of the Limerick senior footballers, subject to ratification.

The Treaty County executive committee made the announcement on Friday, confirming that the Mayo man will take over for the next two years.

Dempsey has won back-to-back Mayo championships with club side Knockmore, while he was in contention for the Green and Red manager's position, set to bring Oisín McConville and Declan O'Keeffe as part of his backroom team.

Kevin McStay was eventually named Mayo boss, while McConville has since linked up with Wicklow, and now Dempsey will turn his attention to the Limerick football squad for 2023 and beyond.

In 2022, Limerick reached the Munster final, beating Clare and Tipperary en route to the final, however, they were well beaten by Kerry in the decider. They subsequently missed out on a place in the All-Ireland quarter-finals, losing to Cork in the second round of the qualifiers.

"The executive committee are delighted to confirm the appointment of Ray Dempsey as the new Limerick senior football manager subject to ratification by both the football and county committees," read a statement on the Limerick GAA website.

"Ray has vast experience with his club Knockmore, winning the past two Mayo Senior Football Championships and has previously managed Mayo minor and under-21 football teams and will come to Limerick on a two-year term. Ray also had an impressive playing career with Mayo commanding 64 appearances.

"Details of his back-room team will be announced in the coming weeks."

"I am looking forward to the challenge and am hugely excited to be working with the group of players and building on their achievements of the last number of years," said Dempsey.