TURLOUGH O’Brien has stepped down after six years in charge of the Carlow footballers.

O’Brien, who had Stevie Poacher alongside him for a number of years, oversaw one of the county’s most memorable periods with their promotion from Division Four and Leinster win over Kildare proving particularly memorable.

Due to the reconfigured inter-county season not set for resumption until mid October, and its inevitable lead into 2021 National League preparations, Turlough has brought forward his decision to step away with immediate effect to facilitate a smooth transition for the new season,” Carlow GAA said.

“Turlough has served as Carlow GAA’s senior football manager since 2014 and during this period guided us to promotion from Division Four of the NFL for the first time in over 33 years.

“We will never forget the special days in 2017 and 2018, particularly those sweltering evenings in Netwatch Cullen Park, when we took on some of the best the country has to offer under O’Brien’s stewardship.

“The most memorable of all however, must be that famous afternoon in Tullamore when the manager led our team to a famous Championship victory over Kildare en route to the Leinster Semi-Final.”