Odowd set to be returned as meath manager

Mick O’Dowd is set to be returned as Meath manager for another two-year term after unanimously receiving the backing of the Co Board Executive Committee at a meeting last night.
The Executive Committee have recommended that the Skryne man be returned as manager for two years with his position to be reviewed at the end of 2016 before confirming the extension to the second year. That recommendation will be put to the Co Board delegates at the next meeting on Monday 10th August in Kilmessan.
It is expected that the delegates will back the strong decision taken by the Executive Committee and will ensure that plans for 2016 can commence immediately.
There were concerns that O’Dowd might lose the job following Meath’s poor championship showing and with Sean Kelly stepping away from the set-up, but the Co Board Executive have moved swiftly with a strong statement this morning to state unequivocally that they are standing behind their man.
The news of such a strong show of support for the manager will come as a huge source of relief for O’Dowd who has been in a rebuilding process for three years and had expected considerable improvement in 2015.
However, in a season clouded by injuries O’Dowd was forced to introduce new players quicker than he might of liked and that inexperience told in several big games, most notably in the second-half of the Leinster SFC semi-final loss to Westmeath.
O’Dowd has introduced several new players to championship football this summer and the Co Board believe that the best way for those players to develop is under the continued management of O’Dowd.
It is not know if the Skryne man intends to keep his management team intact, but one thing is for sure, he will need another new selector with Kelly stepping away from the panel.
The Co Board Executive have also confirmed that Martin Ennis is their recommendation to remain as manager of the senior hurling team.
Ennis has also embarked on a rebuilding process with the hurlers and it is no surprise that his good work in 2015 has been rewarded with another term in charge.