Bainisteoir na Mí

Agus

Dempsey withdraws from Meath race

14 October 2008


Eamonn O’Brien is set to be named as the next Meath football manager after his main rival for the post, Luke Dempsey, dramatically withdrew his candidacy.

The former Westmeath, Carlow and Longford boss, who has also been linked with the vacancies in Carlow and Sligo, claimed his position had become "untenable" after the county board executive failed to put his name forward for ratification last night.

Dempsey had been favoured by three members of the five-man selection committee given the task of finding a successor to Colm Coyle, only to find himself caught in the middle of an unseemly wrangle between officers who favoured him and those who supported local candidate Eamonn O’Brien.

His withdrawal now makes O’Brien the obvious favourite, although there is still the possibility that more candidates will enter the race the longer the process drags on. Dempsey claimed that Meath officials had initiated the contact and then met him on two separate occasions in his home town of Mullingar.

"We discussed everything down to the finest detail," he revealed. "Having met me twice, I was really excited about the prospect of moving into one of the bigger counties."

However, in recent days he "became aware" of obstacles to the appointment of an outside manager. Pointing out that his mother was from Meath, he had once lived in the county and also managed junior club side Ballinabrackey, Dempsey stressed that he was "not unfamiliar" with the county.

But he added: "When the executive couldn’t push through my nomination, for whatever reasons, last night, my position became untenable. And no matter what they decide, I am actually withdrawing from the race."

Despite his disappointment at the latest turn of events, Dempsey wished the new manager and everyone associated with Meath GAA "the very best of luck".


http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=102387

Arctic89

What about Sean Kelly and his co-trainer with Navan O'Manony's. Weren't they being hotly tipped for ages? After seeing their team put up a brilliant performance on Sunday in the county final, playing a lovely style of football, i think its only fair that they at least be considered.

Cant believe the county board even considered giving the job to Luke Dempsey, not exactly proven at the high level Meath (still like to think they) are at.

Agus

Meath clubs asked to nominate again

[SIZE=-1]Meath County Board Chairman Barney Allen[/SIZE]17 October 2008

The process to find a new Meath football manager has started from scratch again today as their county board asked clubs for a second time to nominate managers to fill the void left by Colm Coyle.

The county board’s management committee met for the first time last night since the original five-man selection committee was split 3-2 in their vote over whether or not Luke Dempsey should succeed Coyle in the hot seat.

Dempsey’s name was put before the management committee on Monday but was rejected before it could go to the clubs for ratification, as it was expected that he clubs would not rubber stamp the former Longford manager.

Former board chairman Brendan Dempsey stood down from the five man sub committee in recent days meaning that a new committee has to be formed and the whole process starts again from scratch.

The clubs in Meath were contacted this morning asking them to nominate their choice of candidates by next Wednesday, 22 October at 5pm. If the sub committee is presented with new candidates that they have not already interviewed whom they deem worthy of speaking to, then it is likely that new interviews will take place. However, it is thought extremely unlikely that the candidates already interviewed will be spoken to for a second time, despite the new make up of the sub committee.

At this stage Eamon O’Brien remains the strong favourite to land the job.

Agus

Hayes throws his hat into Meath ring

[SIZE=-1]Liam Hayes[/SIZE]22 October 2008

Former midfield star Liam Hayes has declared his interest in becoming the next Meath football manager.

Hayes, who managed his county of birth Carlow for two years, has agreed to an invitation from his home club Skryne to enter the race after nominations were sought again in the wake of last week’s failed attempt to appoint Luke Dempsey as Colm Coyle’s successor.

The deadline for the second round of nominations closes today and interviews will take place with a new selection committee comprising county board chairman Barney Allen, hurling board chairman TJ Reilly and fixtures secretary Francis Flynn.




Despite not being the original five-man committee’s first choice, Eamonn O’Brien remains in the running, while former Louth manager Paddy Carr could also emerge as a candidate after guiding Kilmacud Crokes to the Dublin SFC final.

Hayes, who is a controversial newspaper columnist, enjoyed a hugely successful playing career with the Royals which stretched from 1981 to ’92, during which time he won two All-Ireland medals in 1987 and ’88.

tethad

so who looks likely to get it??