Mick O'Dwyer to take on role with Louth

Legendary manager Mick O'Dwyer looks set for a return to the inter-county game, with the Waterville native to take on an advisory role with the Louth footballers.

O'Dywer led Kerry to eight All-Ireland titles from 1975-1986, Kildare to Leinster titles in 1998 and 2000, and Laois to a Leinster title in 2003. He also enjoyed success with Wicklow, and his final job was as manager of Clare, a role he stepped down from in 2013.

He announced last January, following ankle surgery, that his days as a manager were finally over.

"My days of rolling up the match programme tightly in my hand in the dressing-room and heading out to patrol the sidelines are over," he said. "I'd be happy to give a bit of advice from time to time if anyone wants it, but I won't be managing again. That's behind me now."

However, a report in this morning's Irish Independent says O'Dywer has agreed to take on an informal advisory role with Colin Kelly's management team in Louth, with the iconic Kerryman having already begun his involvement according to Kelly.

"He's been about the place," said Kelly. "It's nothing formal. I would have had Micko addressing club teams I was involved with in the past. He has great enthusiasm."

Louth host Westmeath in Round 1 of the Leinster Championship on Sunday, May 17 and O'Dywer is expected to be a prominent figure at Louth training sessions in Darver between now and then. A confirmed lover of the road, the 10-hour round trip between Waterville in west Kerry and Darver in Co Louth is unlikely to daunt the 78-year-old.

Louth are in need of a good result against Westmeath having suffered a second successive relegation this spring in the Allianz Football League. The Wee County will play in Division IV next season, having played in Division II as recently as 2014.

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