Ex-Kildare dual star Byrne installed as new Longford hurling manager

Kildare's Johnny Byrne. ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo.

Former Kildare dual player Johnny Byrne has been ratified as the new Longford senior hurling manager.

Byrne succeeds his former Coill Dubh team-mate Diarmuid Cahill as manager of the Lory Meagher Cup champions after a distinguished club and inter-county career in both codes. He won Kildare SHC titles with Coill Dubh in 2014 and '15 as well as Kildare and Leinster IFC honours with Allenwood in 2023.

The highlights of his inter-county career included a Leinster U21FC success in 2013 and a Christy Ring Cup win in 2022.

Welcoming Byrne's appointment, Longford GAA chairperson Derek Fahy said: “Johnny has a fantastic track record of winning both on and off the field at both club and county level. He will be a tremendous addition to the Longford hurling scene as we look to build on the success of League promotion and Lory Meagher Cup glory in 2026. We wish him, his management team and the county hurling panel all the best in 2027 and beyond.”

The new manager's management team includes Ross Carew and Ian Dunne as coach and performance analysis, Julia Gruszczynska as performance nutritionist, while Tommy Hawes and Brian Crossan return as selectors and Tom Devereux, Ashling Lyons and Tony Ghee also return in their respective roles.