New Meath Manager

[agorm]

Liam Hayes in the Tribune


Liam Hayes, Football Analyst - Board silly by intrigue

Meath's selection process for their new manager was deeply flawed and the players will be left with the consequences
The prospect of being interviewed by Barney Allen, TJ Reilly and Francis Flynn for the position of Meath senior football manager had all the appeal of being bumped off by a bullet in the head. Therefore, on the morning of my proposed meeting with these gentlemen, I respectfully made it known that I would not be showing up.
Okay, let me take you back a little bit.

About one month ago, I phoned my home parish and I asked some of my friends in Skryne to consider nominating me for the position of Meath team boss. And, 48 hours later, the act was done. Mine was the first name in the hat for Round Two of the search for someone who might ensure that the Meath football team does not continue moving at 10 miles per hour in reverse gear.

Round One had ended with a committee chaired by Brendan Dempsey – remember this name, please – deciding that former Westmeath and Longford manager, Luke Dempsey should be the next Meath team boss. He had edged a vote, 3-2, over the personal choice of county chairman, Barney Allen.
Barney, whom we have all known and loved as Meath fixtures secretary for the largest portion of his adult life, wanted Eamonn O'Brien to get the job – which, of course, had nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that Eamonn had managed Barney's club team, Rathkenny for the previous three years – and had, miraculously, on several occasions, saved Rathkenny from relegation from senior to intermediate grade.

When I say that mine was first name in the hat, I am not being totally accurate – Eamonn O'Brien's name, y'see, had never left the hat. He had come second in the selection process. He had watched Luke Dempsey being proposed as Meath manager, and he had watched Luke Dempsey's name being sent packing by Barney and his buddies.

Luke Dempsey, at this point, told the people of Meath (in the most polite language) that he had absolutely no interest in ever again being considered for the post of Meath senior football team manager. And, 10 out of 10 to Luke. Some things in life are not worth excessive personal degradation and embarrassment.
Eamonn O'Brien said nothing.

It was at this point that I phoned one of my most trusted friends in Skryne GFC. As I did so, I was aware that just one week earlier that I had written on this page that the Meath county board had its head stuck in a great big plate of sandwiches, and appeared to be going for the Guinness Book of Records under the heading of 'sandwich immersion'.

I was curious. Put bluntly, I was the last man the Meath county board wished to become manager of the Meath senior football team. Furthermore, I was the last man who ever wished to be interviewed by the combined Gaelic football genius of Meath chairman Barney Allen, Meath hurling board Chairman TJ Reilly, and Meath assistant-secretary Francis Flynn.

These three men have long and distinguished records across many roles within the Meath county board but, in my humble opinion, they would be more suited to buying and buttering the sliced pans consumed so energetically by their colleagues on the Meath county board than combining their talents on a head-hunting mission for a new manager.

But I remained curious. I wanted to meet them. I also wished to see if a 'new' name descending into the fine, big hat owned by the Meath county board would make Eamonn O'Brien think long and hard about his damaged, maligned, and all-round besmirched candidacy.
As it turned out, one or two other names were also forwarded by clubs for the position, and I didn't need to hang around in the hat. But I delayed. I remained curious. Should I turn up for the interview and serve up to Barney and the two boys a piece of my mind?
I thought it through, and then I chickened out.
The Hayes family was celebrating my nine year-old son's birthday party at 7.30 pm that very same evening in my favourite Chinese restaurant, and I chickened out due to a combination of the greatest company a father can enjoy and also some fantastic plates of food. I've got to admit, I am not at all proud of myself for my small role in the quite shameful drama which has engulfed the selection of the next Meath senior team manager. But hey, if I'm feeling a teeny, weeny bit lousy, how do you think Barney Allen and Eamonn O'Brien and the lads out front in this 'off Broadway' drama must be feeling about themselves?

Because, and don't make any mistake about this, the Meath senior football team is no longer where it should be. One of the greatest and most formidable names in Gaelic football through the 1980s and '90s, and right into the new millennium – remember it was Meath who beat Kerry by 15 points in the 2001 All-Ireland semi-final – is now playing somewhere down a side street. Think of Meath as The Incredible Shrinking Team or, perhaps The Team that Time Forgot. I fear it is not going to get any better. Which brings us back to the aforementioned Brendan Dempsey!

He became Meath county board chairman four years ago and sought to unveil a new business-like and fairly professional era for Meath GAA fans. After over 25 years of darkness, administratively-speaking, this was good news for all those people who dearly loved the Meath football team – warts, occasional displays of thuggery, and all! However, two years into his reign, Dempsey was ko'd by... let's just say superior forces.
When Brendan Dempsey's committee proposed Luke Dempsey as the new Meath football manager, on a tight 3-2 vote, it did so because Luke Dempsey was far and away the best and the most experienced candidate who had been nominated and interviewed for the position. Simple as that. Not too many Meath GAA people, and even fewer former Meath Gaelic footballers (who distinctly looked down their noses at a former Westmeath and Longford manager running around the place), would have wished Luke Dempsey as their successor to Colm Coyle, but, so what! He was still the smartest choice, and by some distance.
But Barney Allen wanted Eamonn O'Brien, and this is whom the Meath GAA public have now received. The new Meath team boss is a gentleman, and a quiet, hard-working sort of character who dearly loves his football, but he is also a most far-fetched long-shot at this crucial, and potentially irrecoverable, period in the recent history of the Meath team.
Seven years after winning its last Leinster title, and nine years after winning its last All Ireland, the Meath team is out of time and, with every passing year, it now becomes increasingly unrecognisable. The truth is that the team needs all of the help it can get. It could have done with the help of Luke Dempsey who had proven himself a capable and innovative manager at, admittedly, a lower depth of Gaelic football this last decade. It could have badly done with Tommy Carr who, as a former Dublin captain and manager, has more respect for and belief in Meath football than the vast majority of the county's disillusioned footballers, supporters, and officers. Carr would have been a great choice. And Pete McGrath, who was also asked would he be free for three or five years, would have been close to perfect.

While all of this tomfoolery has been playing itself out, we should wonder what the Meath footballers themselves have been thinking over these last four dreadful months since the annihilation by Limerick in the All Ireland qualifiers and the immediate resignation of Colm Coyle. We can only wonder, because not a whisper had been heard from even one Meath footballer though the late summer, right through the autumn, and up to the doorstep of winter.
Nobody wishes the Meath senior footballers to start behaving like the Cork senior hurlers. But, at times like this, it would do harm for them to clear their throats, and stand up for themselves and the good name of the Meath football team.
It worries me that all of these footballers have sat back, and it further unnerves me that they are prepared to accept any manager the Meath county board serves up and sends in their direction. These footballers now have 12 months, to begin with, to live or die with Eamonn O'Brien.
Another 12 months. Time is passing these Meath footballers by – and time is one thing the average Meath footballer no longer has on his side.

[thejuice]

The new Meath senior football team manager, Eamonn O'Brien, has named three All-Ireland winners in his back-up team. Robbie O'Malley and Donal Curtis are the selectors, with Colm Brady the trainer.

O'Malley was one of the stalwarts of Meath's great 1986 to 1991 era when two All-Irelands, five Leinsters and two league titles were gained. Curtis was part of the 1996 and 1999 All-Ireland successes when O'Brien was a selector under Seán Boylan. Brady was on the 1996 winning side.

Meanwhile, Colm Coyle, who O'Brien succeeds, has been appointed as Westmeath senior club team Coaralstown-Kinnegad manager, while former Meath full back Darren Fay, who ended his intercounty playing career last July, will be in charge of local intermediate outfit Nobber in 2009.

[lynchbhoy]

The new Meath senior football team manager, Eamonn O'Brien, has named three All-Ireland winners in his back-up team. Robbie O'Malley and Donal Curtis are the selectors, with Colm Brady the trainer.

O'Malley was one of the stalwarts of Meath's great 1986 to 1991 era when two All-Irelands, five Leinsters and two league titles were gained. Curtis was part of the 1996 and 1999 All-Ireland successes when O'Brien was a selector under Seán Boylan. Brady was on the 1996 winning side.

Meanwhile, Colm Coyle, who O'Brien succeeds, has been appointed as Westmeath senior club team Coaralstown-Kinnegad manager, while former Meath full back Darren Fay, who ended his intercounty playing career last July, will be in charge of local intermediate outfit Nobber in 2009.

Best of luck Colm Brady - good lad and I think he was the first GAA coach in Leinster around the mid 90's
Not sure what he's doing now though!

[thejuice]

Colm O'Rourke and Trevor Giles to manage Meath U-21's

Good move if you ask me. Perhaps used as a stepping stone into the Senior job in the future. 2 players that hold a lot of respect in the county and beyond.

From Hoganstand.com

O'Rourke and Giles to manage Meath under 21s
25 November 2008


Meath legends Colm O'Rourke and Trevor Giles have been appointed joint-managers of the Royal County's under 21 football team.

The Skryne club-mates take over from Colm Coyle, who combined the roles of under 21 and senior manager last season. While O'Rourke is no stranger to inter-county management, having coached the Meath minors in the past, Giles is new to the scene. It will be the former Footballer of the Year's first involvement with Meath since he announced his inter-county retirement three years ago.

Meanwhile, former Meath hurling manager John Davis could be set for a return to the role after being nominated to succeed John Andrews, who resigned recently. Davis, who also managed his native Westmeath, trained the Meath camogie team this year. Kildalkey's Pat O'Halloran is also in the running.

Pat Coyle has been reappointed Meath minor football manager after winning a Leinster title this year, while Kit Henry will continue as junior football manager.

[Logan]

Colm O'Rourke and Trevor Giles to manage Meath U-21's

Good move if you ask me. Perhaps used as a stepping stone into the Senior job in the future. 2 players that hold a lot of respect in the county and beyond.

From Hoganstand.com

O'Rourke and Giles to manage Meath under 21s
25 November 2008


Meath legends Colm O'Rourke and Trevor Giles have been appointed joint-managers of the Royal County's under 21 football team.

The Skryne club-mates take over from Colm Coyle, who combined the roles of under 21 and senior manager last season. While O'Rourke is no stranger to inter-county management, having coached the Meath minors in the past, Giles is new to the scene. It will be the former Footballer of the Year's first involvement with Meath since he announced his inter-county retirement three years ago.

Meanwhile, former Meath hurling manager John Davis could be set for a return to the role after being nominated to succeed John Andrews, who resigned recently. Davis, who also managed his native Westmeath, trained the Meath camogie team this year. Kildalkey's Pat O'Halloran is also in the running.

Pat Coyle has been reappointed Meath minor football manager after winning a Leinster title this year, while Kit Henry will continue as junior football manager.

Well one does at least

[thejuice]

Well in terms of his footballing days rather than punditry

[The GAA]

is ts the meath "dream ticket" for the near future so?

[Jinxy]

We could do a lot worse.

[thejuice]

**** I think we should make this the Meath GAA news thread*****

Colm reckons we should be the Leinster equivilent of Kerry, I reckon we should aim higher than Kerry! But I agree we should be more successful than we have been.

O'Rourke: Meath should be Kerry of the East
30 November 2008


Colm O'Rourke believes that Meath football should be improving with each year, so as the county can get to the level where Kerry are currently at to challenge for provincial and All-Ireland crowns.

The Meath legend, who was recently appointed as the county's new Under 21 football manager, stressed with the number of active clubs within the Royal County at the present time that the inter-county should be at a higher level then where it currently ranks.

"I certainly think that in the last few years we have seriously underachieved," O'Rourke told the Star Sunday newspaper.

"I think Meath should be the Kerry of the East because you have a big county, a very keen football county with no real opposition in terms of soccer or major rugby or anything like that.

"There are very good clubs and everybody is really interested in football and there's a club in every village and every parish.

"To me the results at national level from the Meath team should be better as a result. I think we need just a little bit if structural reform, and I see no reason why Meath shouldn't be one of the stronger counties year after year."

While O'Rourke has condemned the current system of managerial appointment in Meath, he lauded the senior panel's new management, in particular backroom team member Bob O'Malley.

"I think Eamonn will be a nice calming influence and the three of them are a good group of fellas and very enthusiastic. Bob (O'Malley) is the outsider of the group, but he will bring great enthusiasm, great fire and great hunger and a bit of steel," he added.

[thejuice]

really, I thought that was just for club games

[thejuice]

Started by yourself no less. but thats more Club orientated. I'll start one thats more county team based

[thejuice]

I know theres a recession going on but I decided to start a new thread

[thejuice]

Rumour mill churning:

Sean Kelly has retired from Navan O'Mahoney's and has joined the Meath management team. I don't know if it means Donal Curtis, Robbie O'Malley or Colm Brady have stepped down.

[lynchbhoy]

Rumour mill churning:

Sean Kelly has retired from Navan O'Mahoney's and has joined the Meath management team. I don't know if it means Donal Curtis, Robbie O'Malley or Colm Brady have stepped down.

is Brady a selector?
I thought he was just the trainer?
Could easily add Kelly to that without any problems imo.

[Louth Exile]

Rumour mill churning:

Sean Kelly has retired from Navan O'Mahoney's and has joined the Meath management team. I don't know if it means Donal Curtis, Robbie O'Malley or Colm Brady have stepped down.

is Brady a selector?
I thought he was just the trainer?
Could easily add Kelly to that without any problems imo.

I think Brady is just involved in the training, pity we didn't get Kelly for the Louth job