Turlough’s reign over in Carlow

TURLOUGH O’BRIEN has stepped down as Carlow senior football boss after six years in charge.

O’Brien was set to leave the post at the end of this year but has departed sooner to better facilitate a smoother transition for the team into 2021.

The delayed 2020 Championship will likely mean there is little time between its conclusion and the start of the 2021 National Football League.

O’Brien took charge of the county in 2014 and famously led Carlow to promotion from Division 4 of the NFL in 2018, their first promotion in 33 years.

In the same season, he also masterminded a shock Leinster Championship quarter-final victory over Kildare in Tullamore – a game in which Carlow did not shoot a single wide.

A four-point loss to Laois in the semi-finals cost them a place in the final against Dublin.

A Carlow GAA statement last night said: “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 day in Tullamore when the manager led our team to a famous Championship victory over Kildare en route to the Leinster semi-final.

“The absolute professionalism, utter dedication and unbridled passion which Turlough brought to the Carlow senior football set up over the past six years, alongside his various backroom staff, has undoubtedly elevated Carlow’s football status to new heights.

“We take this opportunity to thank him unreservedly for all he has done during his tenure and we wish him every success and happiness for the future.

“He truly embodies the spirit of ‘CarlowRising’, fíor Ghael Cheatharlach gan dabht. Beir bua agus beannacht Turlough.”

DECISION O’Brien has left after six seasons as boss