Former Royal in charge in Carlow

Former Meath star Liam Hayes was appointed the new Carlow football manager at last night's county board meeting.

Hayes, who succeeds Luke Dempsey, has never managed at inter-county level, but led Dublin side Lucan Sarsfields to an intermediate league and championship double in 1995, before moving on to coach at underage level.

Hayes won two All-Ireland and five Leinster titles as a Meath midfielder.

Hayes' late father played for Carlow for 12 years before moving to Meath.