’Cheddar’ Plunkett reinstated as Laois manager

Laois chairman Gerry Kavanagh has expressed delight at Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett’s return as senior hurling manager.

Kavanagh revealed Plunkett’s reinstatement was not rubber-stamped until yesterday afternoon — less than a week after he tendered his resignation in dramatic fashion, and just days out from Laois’s Leinster SHC quarter-final meeting with neighbours Offaly at O’Moore Park.

Plunkett quit the post last Wednesday after squad members Matthew Whelan and Jim Fitzpatrick lined out for Borris-Kilcotton in a challenge game against the manager’s wishes.

Laois GAA top-brass were hopeful Plunkett would reconsider his position, with talks between the board executive and the Portlaoise native taking place over the past few days to resolve the issue.

On top of Plunkett’s return, Whelan and Fitzpatrick have also returned to the set-up — both players departed the panel in the wake of last week’s events.

“We are delighted to have Seamus back on board,” said Kavanagh. “The only story here is that he has come back into the fold. We talked with him and all issues were cleared up. It is a great boost ahead of the Offaly game and we just hope now that the players can prepare properly for what is a very big game against our neighbours on Sunday.”