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.