The Courtwood senior footballers are on the hunt for a new manager after they announced that Eddie Kinsella has decided to step down.
A former player, Kinsella led his native club to unprecedented success after five years in charge during a six year spell.
Kinsella led Courtwood to Intermediate glory in 2018 and made steady progress again in 2019.
He stepped away in 2020 to focus on the Laois U-20s – who he led to a Leinster final – and Courtwood ended up in a relegation final without him.
But they got the better of Arles-Kilcruise and Kinsella returned in 2021 where they reached Round 3.
This season was his most successful yet as Courtwood reached their first Senior semi final in decades – just losing out to O’Dempsey’s.
A statement from Courtwood confirmed the news this morning.
They said: “Courtwood GAA would like to wish the outgoing senior manager Eddie Kinsella all the best in the future as he is stepping down having completed five years in the role.
£Eddie first and foremost is a Courtwood club man and we know he is especially pleased that leaves the club in a very good position going forward.
“Eddie has had an extremely successful tenure in charge on two occasions firstly by gaining promotion from intermediate to senior status, and also having secured memorable scalps over larger clubs in the last two seasons at senior level, against much more fancied opposition.
“A lot of the players would have been managed and coached by Eddie from juvenile level with St. Paul’s on to Courtwood and also with the Laois under 20’s and a number of these players continue to impress for both county and for their respective clubs throughout the various championship campaigns.
“We know the demands of management for those who manage their own club can be particularly challenging and we hope Eddie can enjoy participating as a spectator long into the future as a Courtwood supporter.
“We would also like to thank the extended management team, Fergal Byron, Barry Weldon, Kevin Nolan and Matt Kelly for their time, effort and commitment this year.
“Many thanks also to the support team – Laura Dunne (physio), Larry Havens (physical trainer), Siobhan Byron McEvoy (team secretary) and Pat Murphy, Pat O’Connell and Niall Murphy (kit) and anyone else who assisted in any way.
“The club will provide updates in relation to the team management for 2023 in due course.”
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