Carlow manager Luke Dempsey has paved the way for exiled footballers Thomas Walsh and Derek Hayden to make a return to the Barrowsiders' fold. Walsh left Carlow in a blaze of publicity and switched to Wicklow, who he helped win the Tommy Murphy Cup this year, while Hayden has transferred to Laois. Dempsey, who took over from Paul Bealin recently has stressed that the door has been left open for any player from the county to return and play. "I hope all players born and bred in Carlow would come on board with what we're trying to do," said Dempsey. "The aim is obviously to have the best possible team at our disposal and I will be leaving no stone unturned or avenue unexplored." The former Westmeath and Longford manager is keen to get started in his new role and will meet with his new squad on Friday week. "We'll have our first meeting with the players on Friday, November 21st at 10.30am at Eire Og where we'll assess their shape. The following weekends we'll hold trials for interested players who have come to our attention through their clubs, which will culminate in a probables versus possibles match on December 28th at Dr Cullen Park. Tweet

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