Following ordination, Router's first pastoral assignment was as
curate in
Killinkere, between 1989 and 1991. Between 1991 and 1996 he taught English, geography and religion at
St Patrick's College, Cavan, while also serving as
chaplain and coaching basketball and Gaelic football. Router was appointed chaplain to
Bailieborough Community School, where he also coached basketball and Gaelic football, and resident priest in
Kilmainhamwood and
Moybologue in 1996, before completing a
Master of Religious Education at
Mater Dei Institute of Education,
Dublin, between 2002 and 2003, during which time he was assistant priest in Our Lady of Good Counsel parish,
Drimnagh. Router returned to the Diocese of Kilmore in 2003, where he was appointed resident priest in Castletara (centred on
Ballyhaise) and diocesan director of adult faith formation and pastoral renewal, where he was responsible for providing training, encouragement and support for parish pastoral councils, liturgy groups, Eucharistic ministers and Ministers of the Word. Router also facilitated the provision of adult religious education courses in the diocesan pastoral centre and in
Manorhamilton, which were accredited by the Mater Dei Institute of Education and the
Maryvale Institute. During his time in Ballyhaise, he also served as a selector for the local Gaelic football club between 2004 and 2012. It was during his time as diocesan director of adult faith formation and pastoral renewal that Router also wrote a religious affairs column for
The Anglo-Celt and the
Cavan Voice. == Episcopal ministry ==