Former Armagh star Oisin McConville is to take his first steps into inter-county management with the Wicklow senior footballers.
Wicklow GAA confirmed the news this evening, saying the county management committee were to recommend McConville as new manager, succeeding Alan Costello.
"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," Wicklow GAA said in a statement tonight.
Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph earlier, McConville said he felt the time was right to have a crack at inter-county management.
"I know that time is of the essence in this regard but I will certainly be giving it my best shot. Having sampled life as a player, coach, pundit and analyst, I feel now is a good time to try and turn my hand to inter-county management.
"My immediate task is to try and take Inniskeen as far as I can in the Monaghan championship. Having said that, Wicklow will then get my undivided attention.
"I know that some people will think that life in Division 4 may not be too difficult but I know that there are some decent teams in there and Wicklow will get nothing easy."
McConville first co-managed his own club Crossmaglen Rangers - winning two county crowns and Ulster title - and then Seneschalstown in Meath.
He has been over Monaghan senior outfit Iniskeen Grattans since 2020, leading them to consecutive semi-final appearances.
The two-time All-Star, who was a key forward on the Orchard County team that won Sam Maguire in 2002, has also worked extensively as a broadcast analyst and co-commentator for the likes of RTÉ and the BBC since his retirement from playing.
This year, the Garden County were relegated from Division 3 of the Allianz Football League, during which manager Colin Kelly stepped down, citing work commitments.
Alan Costello and Gary Duffy then took over on an interim basis and Wicklow had a decent Leinster campaign, beating Laois before losing to Meath.
In the Tailteann Cup they defeated Waterford but were eliminated in the first round proper by Offaly.
Additional reporting: Damian Lawlor
