Plunkett confirmed as Laois boss

Seamus Plunkett has been handed a one-year term as Laois Senior Hurling manager following his ratification at a County Committee meeting last night.

Plunkett steps up from managing the county's Minor team, ending the midlanders' long-winded search for Teddy McCarthy's successor.

McCarthy resigned in late August in the aftermath of heavy Championship defeats to Dublin and Limerick. During the Corkman's one-year spell in charge, they also suffered relegation from Allianz League Division 1B.

Plunkett, who managed the Laois minors to a Leinster semi-final appearance earlier this year, was actually part of the sub-committee tasked with finding a replacement for McCarthy.

But with their search failing to unearth a suitable candidate, the man known as 'Cheddar' will attempt to turn the Laois senior side's fortunes around after a spell of poor results on the pitch and managerial unrest off it.

One of Plunkett's selectors next season will be fellow ex-Laois hurler Paul Cuddy from Castletown, who was also part of that sub-committee.

Former All-Star Pat Critchley, meanwhile, has replaced Plunkett as Laois Minor boss.

The Laois senior panel's 2013 campaign will begin on Sunday, January 20 with a Bord Na Mona Walsh Cup clash with UCD in Portlaoise.