Brian Barry
GAA Editor @BrianGBarry
Oisin McConville set to take over as Wicklow senior football manager
"Life in Division 4 may not seem a glamorous prospect but I will be giving what I see as a big challenge everything." Oisín McConville has confirmed he is taking over as Wicklow senior football manager
Last Updated: 02/09/22 10:48pm
Armagh legend Oisin McConville is set to take over as Wicklow senior football manager.
McConville, an All-Ireland winner in 2002, will step into his first intercounty management role.
The Crossmaglen Rangers club man has built up a wealth of experience on the sideline in recent years, at both club and colleges level.
He was a member of Ray Dempsey's proposed management ticket in Mayo, but the Connacht county instead opted for Kevin McStay.
He will take the reins of the Garden County in 2023 - they have been without a permanent boss since the departure of Colin Kelly early in the 2022 season.
Wicklow GAA announced the news on Friday night.
"Wicklow GAA Management Committee will recommend to Wicklow Co Board that Oisin McConville be appointed as Wicklow Senior Football Manager," read a statement.
"Oisin's experience as a player, coach and manager will bring energy and enthusiasm to the role. His backroom team will be confirmed in the coming weeks."
McConville confirmed the news to the Belfast Telegraph: "I have had experience of managing at under-age level, university level, club level and now I'm taking the plunge into the intercounty bracket.
"Life in Division 4 may not seem a glamorous prospect but I will be giving what I see as a big challenge everything. I have been involved in projects before that were demanding and I feel I'm at a stage of my life now where I can embrace this totally new challenge with enthusiasm."
Wicklow enjoyed a promising summer in 2022. They fell to Meath in the Leinster Championship quarter-final, after a six-point win over Laois, and overcame Waterford in the Tailteann Cup before eventually succumbing to Offaly.
It has been a busy intercounty off-season of managerial changes. Wicklow's appointment of McConville is the eighth coronation of a new boss for 2023, while vacancies remain in Donegal, Monaghan, Wexford, Westmeath, Roscommon and Limerick.
