O'Rourke withdrawal a massive blow for Meath
Meath manager Andy McEntee's preparations for the new season have been dealt another blow with the news that goalkeeper Paddy O'Rourke has withdrawn from the panel.
Skryne man O'Rourke has been part of the panel for nine years after making his debut against Dublin in 2009, but it now appears he will not made himself available to Meath for 2018, sparking a goalkeeping crisis for McEntee.
It was expected that the experiment of Joe Sheridan as substitute goalkeeper would come to an end after the 2017 campaign, but McEntee may return to the Seneschalstown man and ask him to reconsider his retirement plans.
Donaghmore/Ashbourne's Jack Hannigan was the third goalkeeper on the Meath panel last year, while Simonstown's Robbie Burlingham was dropped off the squad before the start of the championship.
Two-time International Rules goalkeeper O'Rourke endured a difficult 2017, but he was still widely regarded as the number one goalkeeper in the county.
Several impressive performances for his club at full-forward in the Meath SFC hinted that O'Rourke might be tempted into trying for an outfield position in McEntee's set-up, but it appears that that will not happen and the Meath manager must begin the search for a new number one.
Hannigan and Burlingham are two outstanding young talents, while St Colmcille's Jordan Browne, or Moynalty's Johnny Lynch, who played for the Meath Juniors, is another who impressed in 2017.
If McEntee is looking to experienced goalkeepers to fill O'Rourke's shoes then players of the calibre of Navan O'Mahonys Mark Brennan or Dunderry's David Jennings would certainly fit the bill, but both men are in their 30s now and might not be in a position to commit to the rigours of inter-county football.
O'Rourke's departure from the panel is the fourth high profile withdrawl that McEntee has had to contend with with Ronan Jones and Ruairi O Coileain taking uop work placements abroad, while Padraic Harnan has decided to go travelling for 18 months to Canada and New Zealand.
McEntee has also culled the panel of several players from 2017 as he prepares to launch a bid for promotion from NFL Div 2 and for a place in the Super Eights next Summer.