Meath GAA discussion thread
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Download the BBC Sounds app and have a listen to the GAA Social this week. Full hour long interview with Andy McEntee by Thomas Niblock & Oisin McConville. Interesting listen.
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I take it this is sarcasm...?
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No it's not. We have some of the best land in Western Europe. Land prices are through roof. Dublin gaa sold land near Lucan for millions and are going to invest that money in Dublin GAA. If they is a chance opportunity that GAA in Meath could sell land to fund Pairc Tailtean its no brainer. I don't know if there is land or O Mahony idea is feasible. But the principle of the idea is an excellent idea. We needs millions to build Pairc Tailtean. We have assets in the county worth millions. What is needed is bit of imagination and examination of everything Meath gaa owns and is it feasible that somw assets land Meath GAA could sell to fund Pairc Tailtean. In Ireland there can be dreadful way of thinking in that you cannot do this or you cannot do that, no that makes no sense. While countries like Holland use their imagination and think big. As someone once said if Ireland had issues Holland had we would be all under water.
Maybe its not feasible. But we do have land worth a fortune. Is there any way in imaginative way thinking out of the box we could sell some land to fund Pairc T. Let's say some club will sell their pitch land, its sold they get new excellent top class new club facilties and rest given to Pairc Tailtean. I don't know if it possible. But it would be worth checking out. I think his idea is excellent idea.
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I'd be wary of doing anything with land at the minute. The dogs on the street can see we are heading for recession barring some sort of major change happening. There are countless examples of clubs around the country that got caught out selling their pitches just before the last recession and the builder going bust. Portlaoise is the big example there, even my own club we were lucky that the lads driving the development were careful but a chunk of money was dependent on the building happening on the old grounds and the builder went bust before we got it. As I say we were lucky that the development committee played safe and we got into a lovely facility but there's potential for disaster in these deals too.
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Regarding next Meath manager, allot of activity is occuring behind the scenes. And Eamon Fitzmaurice could be next manager of Meath. To cut long story short. As I said before Malachy O Rourke was first choice. County board went to him with Meath job. He went away and thought aobut it and came back and said no. And he turned down the Meath county board.
Malachy O Rourke Eamon Fitzmaurice were Meath county board first choices. Jim Galvin and Jimmy McGuiness were both contacted at a very early, but both said no straightaway, they werent interested. So that was the end of that. So now at this moment in time Fitzmaurice is number one choice now.
Just first a bit of historical context before a few more details about what is going behind the scenes Meath. There is great tradition of kerry mangers coming to leinster football teams. All Ireland winning kerry managers have great record in leinster. Leaving the late great Eugene MCgee to one side the only managers ever to beat or get results v Dublin in leinster championship have been Meath managers Sean Boylan Eamon O Brien Colm Coyle and kerry managers Micko Dwyer Paudi O Se. And along with Eugene McGee outside Dublin the only managers to win leinster titles or Meath and kerry managers. There is long tradition of kerry managerrs coming to leinster team eg Micko at laois and kildare, Paudi at Westmeath, John Surgrue Michael Quirke at laois, Tomas O Flathera at Westmeath, Paul Galvin at Wexford and Tomas O Se currently involved with Offaly and Jack O Connor at kildare. John Evans coached Meath under Banty. Could Eamon Fitmaurice follow the paths of last 3 All Ireland winning kerry managers ( leaving Pat O Se to one side) and follow in the path of Micko and Paudi and Jack O Connor come to manage teams in the provience of leinster. Time will telll.
There has being interviews held. Bernard Flynn with Robbie Brennan as assistant, Michael Mcdermont, Graham Geraghty, Brian Farrell, Davy Burke have had interviews with Meath county board for the job. McDermont is second choice for the job, the former Clare manager wouldn't be popular choice agmost supporters. Even though has won county titles in Clare Limerick Cavan and Meath his time at Clare was poor and Meath fans wouldn't find hid choice inspiring.
But basically first choice of Meath County board is Eamon Fitzmaurice. Its his job if he want it. Fitzmaurice has been in allot of discussions with the Meath county board. He is interested in the job, he is attending an interview soon and will bring a plan to Meath county board. And in the last week there has being alllot noises around Meath of Fitzmaurice being next Meath manager, it has increased and increased as week went on.
The idea probably is Fitzmaurice comes in 3 r 4 years and than Cathal O Bric minor winning manager or Kevin Reilly who got Trim recently to All Ireland club final will take over. O Bric is U19 development panel manager next year and U20 Meath manager following year. Meath have some good young managers, they just need tp gain more experience maybe come in as selector under someone like Fitzmaurice and take over in 3 r 4 years time.
While there was issue last year with McEntee at end of the year with vote against him, which didnt look good. There is huge work being done on ground by Meath. Structues on the grounds have inproved substantially in last few years and there some real exciting developments Meath are doing behind scenes. Expertise brought in to bring Meath next level. Also one of the top horses trainers owners in Meath has got involved behind scenes and has stated the aim is for Meath to win Sam Maguire with in the next 7 or 8 years by 2030 2031 2032. People might find that ambitious, or whatever. But in Meath there is allot of work going on behind and u can see that with successful underage teams who are winning leinster titles All Ireland title and beating Dublin comprehensively at underage year after year.
Meath do have allot of very young good footballers to come through, best talent to come through Meath in generation,,especially All Ireland winning team last year which is one best underage teams to come out of leinster in last 20 years. Cian McBride could be back from Australia rules next year and Conor Nash another 6 ft 5 excellent midfielder could be back from Auzzie rules in 3 years time, both have said they want to come back to play for Meath in future. And I have piece of information I cannot divulge that if is true would mean if it is true Fitzmaurice will be next Meath manager. But we have to wait see. Remeber Davy Fitz was going to be Galway manager and than Henry Shefflin came in at last moment. We all know how managerial races can change. Michael McDermont or Bernard Flynn or Graham Geraghty or Davy Burke could end up manager if Fitzmaurice pulls from the race.
But at the moment Eamon Fitzmaurice has being offered the job and he is Meath county board first choice. He is in deep ongoing discussions with Meath county board and has shown interest in the job. Fitzmaurice will attend an interview soon where he will unveil his plan for managing Meath senior team. As they say watch this space. Interesting times ahead. Imagine when Meath played louth next year in the league and Mickey Harte is louth manager and Eamon Fitzmaurice was Meath manager. That would bring great excitement to north east rivalry.
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Here is Eamon Fitzmaurice CV. Regards Fitzmaurice experience he has been managing successfully for 20 years. He won Hogans Cup with his school, and bucket load of titles at every level in kerry football and Munster and All Ireland level . He managed kerry U21 and than kerry seniors. And was selector under Jack O Connor with kerry senior. He is Former All Ireland winning schools and senior kerry manager, former kerry U21 manager and former All Ireland winning kerry senior selector. Here is CV beneath. Its very long.
Eamon Fitzmaurice CV
Managed kerry to 1 All Ireland senior title in 2014
Managed kerry to 6 Munster senior titles in 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
Managed kerry to 1 National league div 1 title in 2017
Managed kerry U21 to Munster U21 title
Hw was selector with Kerry seniors in 2009 under Jack O Connor when Kerry won All Ireland senior title and National league div 1 title.
As kerry selector won Munster senior title with kerry in 2010
Managed his school to 2 Hogan Cup All-Ireland school titles in 2014 2015
Managed his school to 6 Munster A School Titles
Managed his school to All Ireland U16 title ( Paul McGirr Cup)
Managed kerry seniors to 2 McGrath Cup in 2013 2017
Managed his club to 2 East Kerry junior championship 2012 2018
Managed his club to 2 Junior Club Championships 2008 2009
Managed his school to 3 U15 kerry County titles in 2009 2010 2011
Managed his school to U15 Munster School Titles 2011 2012
Managed his school to kerry school U17 title in 2011
Managed his School to 2 U17 Munster School A titles in 2012 2018
In total Eamon Fitzmaurice has managed at different levels successfully many many different gaa teams in last 15 years. As manager in 15 years he has won 36 titles/ competitions in 15 years as GAA maanager. As a player he won 3 All Ireland senior, 6 Munster senior titles, 2 national league titles, Minor All Ireland titles, U21 All Ireland titles, Junior club All Ireland title, Cork and kerry County titles, Munster senior club title. And 2 kerry hurling club championships. As a player selector and manager since he made his debut for kerry minors in 1994, 28 years ago Eamon Fitzmaurice has won 65 titles as player and manager in 28 years since he made his debut. Eamon Fitzmaurice is a serial winner. He is a bornwinner. Eamon Fitzmaurice is successful everywhere he goes. He is a winning machine. Title after title at every level gaa from U15 to senior and everything in between. He is one of the most outstanding managers of his generation.
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Any link to back up your claims on Fitzmaurice?
I'd say there is less than no chance of him taking the Meath job. He is a principal in Dingle with a young family and its a 4 hour 30 minute spin from Dingle to Navan or Dunganny.
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Here is a link below.
As the Meath local news website says "Intriguingly another name believed to be on the selection committee’s radar is Kerry All Ireland winning manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice. The source revealed, ‘If they are looking at someone from outside the county then I believe he is of interest to them, okay it would be a long commute for him but Paidí O’Sé did something similar with Westmeath, there would be obvious difficulties but he’s a serious contender.’
Hasn’t broke nationally but is doing rounds in Meath GAA local circles and local Meath news website like the above and on other gaa forums on the internet. We are Meath podcast, the number 1 Meath gaa podcast which always has the inside of Meath football, will be talking about Fitzmaurice being potentially next Meath manager in their next podcast airing soon.
The above article is from circa 2 weeks ago, where all talk was McDermott was frontrunner. There has been allot of noise talk in Meath this week around Fitzmaurice. He must be interested as he is attending an interview with a plan as Meath manager. I don’t see a decent honest guy like Fitzmaurice coming up for an interview with Meath County board for the crack. He clearly is interested and is now number 1 choice on the list and is currently engaged in talks with Meath county board. Doesn’t guarantee he will get the job, but he is their first choice.
Regards communiting from Kerry as Principal is an issue. You are 100% correct about that. That is an issue. As the above article mentions also. But all these Kerry managers came up to Leinster teams to manager, Micko Dwyer, Paudi O Se, Jack O Connor, Michael Quirke, Liam O'Flathera. Kieran O Donaghy has been coaching Armagh in last 2 years. And Tomas O Se a teacher in Cork, I think lives kerry is coming up to Offaly this year, he is part of Offaly management. Cian O Neill is involved in education in Sports science in UCC lives in Cork, and yet managed kildare for 3 years and currently coach’s Galway. So, there are precedents. But yes you are right, that he is principal in kerry, that is an issue. But if he attending interview with a plan, he must believe he can do it. Time will tell. He would be an outstanding appointment. From past experience, this thing can twist and turn. Luke Dempsey was going get to Meath job in 2011 and Banty emerged as the candidate late on. No one knew Mick O Dowd even went for an interview when he got job in 2013. The Meath County board to credit usually do this quietly. But that this has broken out in Meath gaa circles so publically, I guess is sign they want people to know they tried to get Malachy O Rourke and Eamon Fitzmaurice, if they didn’t get them. That they left no stone unturned To show their ambition. Meath county board got allot of stick last year. They are trying to modernise, and landing a Fitzmaurice would be another sign of that.
And hopefully it does work and they land top class manager like Fitzmaurice. But watch this space, there should be news in coming weeks. Hopefully interview goes well with Eamon, and they can iron the issues as you mentioned of travel from kerry and being Principal, Fitzmaurice would be brilliant appointment for Meath.
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Would take stuff from that "source" with a pinch of salt. No name of who wrote the article either. Website looks more like a personal blog. Also it doesn't say that he is coming for an interview in it.
If they get Fitzmaurice, fair play to Meath and it would be a huge scoop for them but I don't see it.
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Well We are Meath podcast which has people on it who are on Meath county board it top gaa Meath podcast are going to discuss Fitzmaurice taking over as Meath manager in their next airing. It all around Meath gaa circles. Fitzmaurice name being mentioned constantly. I know someone personally in higher echelons of Meath football, he confirmed to me Fitzmaurice is going for an interview.
This is what is happening. Fitzmaurice is their first choice with Malachy O Rourke saying no. They have had interviews with Bernard Flynn Michael Dermott Geraghty Davy Burke Brian Farrell.
Next is Eamon Fitzmaurice there number 1 target. There is on going talks between Fitzmaurice and Meath county board. He going to attend interview with a plan to manage Meath senior team. He might not become manager. But he is shown interest and is being interviewed. That's what happening.
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Fair enough. As I said, it would be a huge scoop for Meath and I wish him well if he takes on the job.
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He is considered a very mediocre manager in Kerry. What the hell would Meath want him for. We aren’t a top team anymore but no top team would give fitzmaurice a second look. This would be a desperately bad move for Meath football
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He won an all Ireland in which if Donegal hadn’t of beaten Dublin in the semi. Dublin of this time would of beaten a colm copper less Kerry team by a 16 point winning margin. And donaghys statement to Joe brolly would of been a whole lot different
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Firstly if all the teams in the country were making list of managers they would like, if there was vacancy in the county, Fitzmaurice would be on the list. Article in Irish national paper last week mentioned names linked to Mayo job if they go outside county. They would be Malachy O Rourke and Eamon Fitzmaurice. If the Dubs went for outside manager and they made list of 3 or 4 candidates for the job from outside the county , the list would contain Jimmy McGuinnes Malachy O Rourke and Eamon Fitzmaurice. Outside kerry he is seen as one of the best managers of his generation. Outside Dubs managers, the only managers to win Sam in recent years or McGuinness, Fitzmaurice, loohan/ Dooher. He would be seen as top elite gaa inter County manager. I can easily see him been kerry senior manager again by 2030. Same way Jack O Connor returned. I heard kerry fans given out about Jack O Connor Before he came back. But also Jack O Connor is an elite gaa top inter county manager.
Kerry have had 5 All Ireland winning managers in their history eg Mick Dwyer Paudi O Se Jack O Connor Pat O Shea Eamon Fitzmaurice. 3 of them managed leinster teams after. Fitzmaurice won 8 major titles with kerry seniors in 6 years. It was seen as a very tough job when he took over as kerry hadn't won All Ireland minor title since 1994 and had only won 1 U21 All Ireland in 21st century since 2000 when he took over ( kerry won 2008 U21 All Ireland). And great kerry team of 00s was breaking up. Remeber he was manager at the time the greatest team of all time were around. Just regards the titles with his school. I think his school is relatively small school with population of 400. He has had huge sucess at underage.
He's won 30 plus titles as a manager, 3 of them as selector. The last 2 All Irelands kerry have won in last 15 years he has been on management team. After Mick Dwyer he is the kerry manager with most Munster titles. He has managed kerry seniors and U21 and being kerry senior selector.
He managed kerry seniors to 1 All Ireland senior title 2014
He managed kerry seniors to 6 Munster titles in a row 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
He managed Kerry senior to National league div 1 title 2017
He was selector when kerry won All Ireland senior title in 2009 and National league div 1 title 2009
He was selector when kerry won Munster title 2010
He managed his school to 2 Hogan Cup 2 All Ireland schools title 2014 2015
He manages his school to All Ireland U17 schools title McGirr Cup 2017
He managed club to kerry junior County titles
He managed his school to Ten U15, U17, U19 Munster School Titles
And lots of kerry school county titles.
He also won 30 titles as players meaning he won 60 plus titles as player and manager since his debut kerry minors in 1994. As a player He won 3 senior All Irelands, 1 minor All Ireland, 2 U21 All Irelands, 3 leagues div 1, 6 senior Munster titles Kerry junior titles, Junior Munster title and All Ireland junior title, Cork County senior title, Munster senior title, 2 Hurling kerry County senior titles.
Which means since he made his debut as player for kerry in 1994 and went onto managing team 15 years he has won over 60 titles as player and manager, and 10 All Ireland titles, 5 as a player, 1 as selector 4 as manager from schools to senior football.
He has quitely built one of the best CVs of his generation. Everywhere he has gone every level he has being successful. And at age of 45 there is at least 2 more possible inter county jobs in him. Maybe manage Meath for a few seasons than return as kerry manager. Like Jack O Connor did with kildare. Anyway all interview will be finished up next week and new Meath manager will be announced in the coming 1 or 2 weeks.
Just side point Paul Galvin is his brother in law and is involved as part of kildare management team currently. With kerry coach Donie Buckley leaving Monaghan with Banty,i wonder could be enticed. Don't think FItzmaurice has ever worked with Buckley. If Fitzmaurice came in it would be interesting to see who he would bring in from kerry if any.
There's no guarantee Meath will secure his appointment. Travel is a difficulty. But once he showed interest he became the number target. From the get go the minute the county board got touch with him he was interested. When he was told plans the county board had more discussions happened his interest in the post grew further. To an extent he is attending a interview next week with Meath county board with plan to manage Meath team. Listen Colm O Rourke went a plan to manage Meath county team in 2013, that was unsuccessful, hopefully Meath county board act more positively this time.
Anyway Bernard Flynn and Michael Mcdermont are the other two always mentioned in the conversation. It seems at the moment it's between Eamon Fitzmaurice ( their first choice, Michael Mcdermont, and Bernard Flynn with Robbie Brennan assistant. Anyway We could find out next week but definitely will find out sometime in the next 2 weeks.
Post edited by Sonny678 on0 -
I can’t take another 2 weeks of these copy and paste comments.
We get it. You love Eamon Fitzmaurice.
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Well don't read it than. There allot of things going on in the world covid war inflation life in general and my little paragraphs are all that's annoying you. Don't read the paragraphs. No one asking you to u. I am not insulting anyone. I am just making a few points. Don't read them. It's very simple.
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In fairness to you sonny you have a seriously impressive knowledge of all things gaa I have to say. One thing you reminded me of is of fitzmaurice bringing on his brother in law ie galvin in an all Ireland when he hadn’t played all year and they were chasing the game v Dublin Galvin was a defender and finished at that point. One of the worst managerial decisions I have ever seen in a game of football
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He made mistakes but the fact is kerry have only won 2 All Irelands in last 15 years, he was involved in both management teams. Kerry have higher standards than any other counties. Paidi O Se Jack O Connor Eamon Fitzmaurice even Micko up to 84 all had there critics in kerry. But all the above have great cvs of success.
That's not a criticism of kerry that's why u guys have 37 All Irelands. Only winning All Irelands is success in kerry. In my view you guys don't get enough credit for those All Ireland wins. Dubs won at least 15 All Irelands with country lads. Kerry All Irelands were always kerry men. Fitzmaurice might have his critics in kerry but throughtout rest of country he is highly regarded. Meath are not trying to win Sam. Our aim is to get up to div 1 and stay there. Whoever the next manager is, does that they are successful. If Meath don't get Fitzmaurice they are looking at possibly unproven inexperienced manager like Bernard Flynn. That's why Fitzmaurice is so sought of to by Meath. And most counties. There is serious shortage of top class managers out there with top class cvs.
And for me Meath and kerry always felt are sort of connected both have traditional rivalries with Dublin and Cork. Always felts the Kingdom gave Meath great support in 80s 90s when we were beating Cork and Dublin. There is such great tradition of kerry managers coming to leinster. Fitzmaurice would be a massive boost for Meath GAA even for rest of the year would take way doom and gloom of this year and people wud be looking forward to next spring.
Post edited by Sonny678 on1 -
One part of this intrigued me: on what basis do you feel McDermott’s management of Clare was poor? I’ve always been told he was highly regarded in the county and started the work Collins continued. He got them to the Munster Final in 2012 for example.
To be honest, a few weeks ago you were posting on this and other threads that Malachy O’Rourke would be next Meath manager, I questioned you that I couldn’t see him taking it. You didn’t reply.
Now all your focus has gone full tilt to Fitzmaurice. He has a nice gig with RTÉ and I think the Meath job will be a hard sell. Very hard to make headway in Leinster & Division 2 next year has Derry & Dublin in it.
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What basis do I think McDermott management was poor u ask? The results were poor. Every manager in every sport is judged on their results. Here are results. I like Michael and he did very good job at Wolfe Tone but Clare results were poor
1 He was manager of Clare in div 4 for 3 years he didn't get them promoted in any of 3 years.
2 In year 1 Waterford knocked Clare out of Munster championship in 1st round by 4 pts.
3 In year 2 Clare finished 6th in div 4 under him
4 In year 3 Cork and kerry beat Clare by total of 43 pts together. That Munster final you mentioned Clare lost by 25 pts to Cork and than kerry beat them 18 pts in qualifiers after. In 3 years managers he won 0 qualifier games and only won 1 championship game.
5 His record with Clare in championship was 7 games played 6 losses & 1 win.
Regards Meath job, I was just sharing with Meath fans some info on the new manager. The feeling at start was Meath would go inside and wouldn't go outside for top managers. That was wrong.
I cannot read people's mind, but I was correct Malachy O Rourke was approached by the county board. They wanted him manager. He thought about it and came back and said no. Again I couldn't read Malachy O Rourke mind.
There has been many interviews since. County board have really to their credit looked nationwide for a manager. Tried to get the best. We will hear new this week or next. It looks like it's between three Flynn, McDermott and Fitzmaurice. But Fitzmaurice is there number 1 choice by a distance. He has being in talks with county board he has shown genuine interest with interview and giving his plan to manage Meath to county board. As I keep saying there is no guarantee there is no guarantee there is no guarantee, Fitzmaurice will be manager. The only one who knows that is Eamon Fitzmaurice. Again I cannot read minds. If you want to criticise me go ahead. I am just sharing what I know here with the great community of Meath supporters here like Rpurfield Hammer Archer etc.
At end of last week It's between 3 candidates, 2 weeks ago it looked like McDermott was going to be manager last week all the talk was Fitzmaurice. But Flynn is mentioned alllot with basically his U20 management team of Robbie Brennan Graham Geraghty Graham Reilly. Flynn could be the manager. I don't know no decision was made at end of last week. I am hoping its Fitzmaurice but yes there r difficulties, yes he does have RTE post, he might turn county board. I don't know what Eamon Fitzmaurice will do.
That's it, I am sure you will criticise me if Fitzmaurice doesn't get the job and criticise my comments above. I have answered your comments as best as I honestly can. I would be delighted if Fitzmaurice becomes the next manager but it could Flynn which is concerning with his lack of managerial experience. McDermott would be much more experienced than Flynn. We will find out soon enough.
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Final update I will make before decision is announced. Apologies for taking over the thread last few days. But I do think people are interested in who is Meaths next manager and its probaly biggest and most important decision Meath county board have had to make in years.
It is still between McDermott, Fitzmaurice, Flynn. Today though I heard management team Bernard Flynn Graham Geraghty Trevor Giles Graham Reilly Robbie Brennan are going get the job.
Still wouldn't rule out Fitzmaurice, because county board are so determined to get him. But principal in kerry has to be an issue to overcome. Could have decision by Friday. Hopefully Fitzmaurice accepts the post , but now the noise in the county is it could be a Flynn Geraghty Giles management team.
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I think you are a very good poster and a really passionate Meath fan. Keep up the good work 👍👍👍
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Thanks for the comments, I appreciate it.
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I think you’ve taken me up wrong. I wasn’t criticising. I’m merely pointing out you seem to have gone a bit over the top re Fitzmaurice as he’s a long way from taking the job it appears - as Malachy O’Rourke obviously was.
McDermott got Clare to their first Munster final in 15 years and also nearly got them promoted twice from Div 4 - I’m no expert on Clare football but it seems to have been at a particularly low ebb at the time.
This article highlights how McDermott started S&C with the team which later proved vital.
What are your own thoughts on the quality of club football in Meath? I’d be interesting in hearing those as I think that may be the elephant in the room re picking a new manager and why it is vital Meath get a team who know the club game in the county, which Fitzmaurice wouldn’t.
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Regards Fitzmaurice close to getting job or not close he is the county boards first choice, main target. He is in talks with them, and and an interview with them with his plan to manage Meath. So he is in the running and is shown genuine interest in the job. How close is that to getting the job. I don't know how do you measure that. In a way it's irrelevant if hes very close to getting the job and doesn't take the job, well its doesn't matter than.
Mcdermott Regards Clare he didn't do a great job. And also in Parnells Dublin senior championship and Garycastle in Westmeath senior championship he didn't do well eitheir. His first year in charge was first time in 5 years Garycastle didn't get to county final. He was in running for Longford job in 2013 and Longford picked Jack Sheedy. You guys picked Mickey Graham instead of him as Cavan manager. He did well in Clare Limerick Cavan and Meath championship. But they aren't really particularly strong championships. Compared to Dublin senior championship.
Dublin clubs have won 8 senior All Ireland senior club titles. Meath Limerick Clare Cavan have won 1 senior All Ireland club title between them. That was Limerick club. No Cavan club has reached All Ireland senior club final, no Meath senior club has reached All Ireland senior club final in near 40 years. And only 1 Clare team has reached All Ireland senior club final. No Cavan team has won or reached All Ireland club senior final.
Meath senior clubs have won 4 leinster provicial titles, Limerick senior clubs have won 2 Munster provicial titles, Clare senior clubs have won 3 Munster senior provicial club titles and no Cavan club has won Ulster senior club titles. Dublin have won 23 provicial titles. Meath Clare Limerick Cavan are not top senior Club Championships compared to Dublin.
Meath club championship is a great championship in terms of interest the Keegan Cup matters to Meath gaa people but the standard it poor. If you look at Meath senior champions record in leinster it's dreadful. Even when Meath were winning All Irelands it was poor.
Club All Ireland championship began in early 1970s
Since 1970 Meath at inter County senior level have won 9 leinster senior championships and won 4 All Ireland senior titles and reached 8 All Ireland senior finals
Since 1970 Meath clubs have won 4 leinster club senior titles and 0 All Ireland senior club titles and reached 2 All Ireland senior club finals.
Carlow with 6 and laois 7 have won more leinster senior club titles. Dublin have 23 leinster club senior titles. Meath haven't won leinster senior club title since Dunshaughlin 20 years ago in 2002. And no Meath club haven't reached All Ireland club senior final since Walterstown did twice nearly 40 years ago in early 1980s.
That's shocking poor record. It must be said when Meath were winning All Ireland in 80s 90s they didn't win leinster club or make impact outside Meath. But I think Meath clubs at senior not doing well Is an issue now. It must be said there was huge gap between Meath v Dublin clubs 7 or 8 years ago, in terms of strenght and Conditioning and tactics. I do think Meath senior championship has improved in last 4 or 5 years. You can see Wolfe Tones were competitive v Crokes last year compared to hammering they gave Dunboyne a few years. Strenght and Conditioning and tactics have improved but it still not a great championship at the top level like Dublin kerry Tyrone Galway etc it is an issue and Meath senior clubs need to start doing better in leinster.
Regards a manager known the club scene well once Fitzmaurice has people on management team who know Meath club scene I don't think it's problem. It wasn't problem for Mick Dwyer at kildare or Laois, or Paudi O Se in Westmeath. Or if you go further afield it wasnt problem when Davy Fitzgerald managed Wexford or Waterford hurlers or John Allen managed Limerick hurlers or when kieran McGeeney managed kildare. Or currently with John Maughan with Offaly or when John Maughan managed Clare. Or when John O Mahony managed Galway. Or with every Offaly All Ireland winning manager. Offaly hurling All Ireland winning managers were Dermot Healy kilkenny, or Eamon Cregan from Limerick or Michael Bond from Galway. Creggan or Bond didn't know Offaly club scene but won Offaly All Irelands. Or Eugene McGee in 1982 from Longford or Tom Gilhooley in 1971 1972 a Galway man who both trained Offaly to 3 football All Irelands. Look at Cavan Martin McHugh in 1997 when he won Ulster. How much did he know about Cavan local scene at club level. Maybe be did maybe didn't. But Micko and Paudi knew very little about kildare and Westmeath club scene yet they are only managers in history of leinster football who have won leinster titles and beating Dublin in leinster championship along with Sean Boylan, Eamon O Brien and Eugene McGee. I don't see that as an issue, once someone like Fitzmaurice has knowledgeable selectors who can inform him about the players. Major issue is how the manager trains or coach's those players.
Just a bit more information. Cathal O Bric minor All Ireland winning manager has now thrown his hat into mix. He wants the Meath senior Job. Cathal O Bric is U19 development panel manager next year and U20 Meath manager the following year. The hope was he would take on his All-Ireland winning minors at U20. And than in 3 or 4 years time maybe become senior manager. But he now has thrown his hat into ring. What does now mean. I honestly don't know.
GAA managerial race can have some twists and turns. The last time Meath went for outside manager luke Dempsey was lined up to get the job but Banty was appointed at last moment. Mick O Dowd came from nowhere to manage Meath in 2013 no one even knew he was in running. Look at Davy Fitz being talked about by Marty Morrisey on RTE News as next Galway hurling manager and it looked a done deal. Next day Henry Shefflin was manager of Galway. Tommy lyons years ago was being main contender lined up for Mayo job in 2011 and James Horan was appointed from nowhere. In 2008 Mick Dwyer was going to become next Dublin manager and Pat Gilroy was appointed at last moment it looked like Davy Burke was going to be next Kildare manager last yesr but Glen Ryan's and his management team of kildare legends was appointed and that came from nowhere. My point is with O Bric now thrown his hat into ring What does that mean. Its all getting a bit mad. I hope they get right choice basically Fitzmaurice which which will delight Meath fans and u cud see players like Keoghan Menton Sullivan McGill staying on longer.Appoint Fitzmaurice would inspire young players and also help in keeping keoghan Mentons involved.
Post edited by Sonny678 on0 -
Hi Sonny,
Thanks for your comments and information.
I personally do not think that Eamonn Fitzmaurice is a good option to be Meath manager. The distance and his probable other committments are just too much. If he was retired and able to spend a substantial time in Meath then I would say maybe.
We need a manager that has several characteristics of course - that would include top level experience and demonstrate at least some level of achievement and show a standard of coaching & tactical awareness and bring a background team to provide the strength & conditioning and tactical and coaching backup. But the manager needs to be able to get immersed in the county scene and live and breath Meath football. I cannot see this happening with Eamonn as his base will continue to be in Kerry and he is working down there.
That said, I don't have an answer as to who should get it. I had hoped that your first choice Malachy O'Rourke would be an option but distance has probably precluded him also. None of those mentioned seem a perfect choice so some compromises need to be made but I do think that it will be difficult for Eamonn to make a really good stab at the job.
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Thanks Dixiefly for your comments I appreciate it.
Yes I would have like Malachy O Rourke also, so did the committee. He was approached. He said let me think about it. He thought about it for a few days and said no he didn't want to commute from Tyrone where he he lives. My feeling about Malachy O Rourke is he probably has eyes on the Donegal job if that comes up soon. But that's only a guess. But the rest is true he was contacted, but he said no.
Fitzmaurice was different from the beginning he showed interest. To such extent he's had two interviews with the board now. Where we are now it looks like its between Bernard Flynn or Eamon Fitzmaurice , but cannot rule out McDermott completely he could be still in the frame. But Flynn and Fitzmaurice look like the last 2 standing. Interesting Meath Chronicle are now coming out saying why is it taking so long. Where they told we would have decision early this week. Is there some sort hitch now. I don't know. At the end of last week Fitzmaurice was still in the running and decision was expected by this Friday maybe early next week. So we will just have to wait.
The points you make about Fitzmaurice are legimate concerns. They are issues. You are correct. My point is if we don't get Fitzmaurice we are looking at more than likely very inexperienced unproven Bernard Flynn and his set up. And we saw what happened there with U20s. Its eitheir very experience top class manager or no experience unproven manager. That's one of the reasons I would go with Fitzmaurice. Andy is best Meath manager of his generation. O Bric, Reilly, Farrell have potential but they need to gain more experience. Fitzmaurice could take us for 4 years than O Bric or Kevin Reilly takes over. 4 years of training managing these young talent players from 4 U17 leinster minor winning teams and 1 All Ireland winning team. Being trained under top class manager would be great start to their Meath career. There is no guarantee with any manager. But I personally think FItzmaurice would be best placed to do that.
I think we will have news by the end of the week, maybe early next week, we will know soon who is our next manager will be.
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Rumours going around tonight last minute candidate like Mick o Dowd in 2013 who in 2013 no one knew had gone for even interview. Former Meath senior selector and former Meath minor, U20 and U21 manager Barry Callaghan name as next manager is doing rounds. Has Fitzmaurice negotiations collapsed??? There seems to be issues with Flynn and what happened with U20 last year. Barry wouldn't be inspiring choice. Hopefully they can still get Fitzmaurice over the line.
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You're only short of nominating the local stray dog at this stage. Barstool stuff
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Do they need to rush in to fill the job so quickly. None of these candidates are in any way a step up from what we had imo. On another note sonny I would be interested in your opinion on Dublin v Kerry. I personally think Kerry would have to play out of there skins to get past Dublin. How do you see it going?
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