Seamus 'Cheddar' Plunkett steps down as Laois hurling manager

Seamus 'Cheddar' Plunkett has stepped down as manager of the Laois hurlers after two years in charge.

Plunkett returned for a second spell as manager in 2020, having previously led his native county between 2012 and 2016.

Laois were relegated to the Joe McDonagh Cup after losing all five fixtures in the Leinster Championship and Plunkett said it is time for a fresh approach.

"There is a job of work to be done to bring Laois through the Joe McDonagh championship in 2023 and up to the levels of competing at the Leinster Championship round-robin competition in 2024," he said in a statement.

"This is a two-year project at minimum and will require further development of the panel and integrating some of the recent U20 players as well as clearing up some injuries, and I feel that it would be best served by a new management team taking over now and bringing this job of work to fruition."

Laois narrowly avoided relegation from Division 1B in the Allianz Hurling League courtesy of a one-point victory over Antrim in their penultimate fixture. That was the county's only win in league and championship in 2022.

"The fact that the team will still play in the top tier of the National Hurling League again in 2023 will be good preparation for the Joe McDonagh championship that follows," said Plunkett.

"Stepping away now will allow CLG Laois the time to appoint a new management team in time for the local championships and to check in on all club players."

Plunkett described his second stint as Laois manager as "frustrating" due to a combination of Covid-19 and injuries, and felt the latter severely impacted their performances this year.

He said: "Looking out on the Leinster hurling final recently and looking at both teams thinking what if either