Emo GAA club have appointed John Strong as their senior football manager ahead of the 2020 season.
Strong takes over from Paul Lawlor who had been player-manager for the past three years.
Lawlor guided Emo to Laois intermediate glory in his first year in charge in 2017 and then to the quarter-final and Round 3 in the senior grade in 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Strong has been involved in a managerial role with Emo on a couple of previous occasions over the past 15 years, including 2004 when he guided Emo to a senior final appearance which they lost to a Portlaoise side that later reached the All Ireland club final.
He came on as a sub in that game, having previously played in county finals with Emo in 1994 and 1986.
Strong, who is father of former Laois player Darren, has managed a number of other clubs also.
He was over Courtwood when they reached the 2007 intermediate final and won the intermediate grade with Clonaslee in 2010.
He later served as a selector with the Laois minors in 2015 and seniors in 2016, both under manager Mick Lillis.
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