Clock ticking on vacancy
The identity of the new Meath senior football manager is unlikely to be known for at least three more weeks as the selection process will not get underway until after nominations for the position close at 5.0 on Friday evening. The Meath Co Committee refused to confirm the identity any of the nominees, but it is believed that Sean Kelly, Damien Sheridan and Paddy Carr, have been nominated along with Eamonn O'Brien. Following the vote of no confidence in the Leinster SFC-winning manager it is unlikely that O'Brien will allow his name go forward to the interview process. Several other names have been suggested for the role including former All-Ireland winners Gerry McEntee and Colm O'Rourke. McEntee hasn't spoken on record regarding his intentions while O'Rourke has expressed an interest in the job, but just not in the near future. It is considered unlikely that the Meath Co Committee will look outside of the county for a replacement. Joe Kernan, Seamus McEnaney, Eamonn McEneaney, Paul Caffrey and Tommy Carr had all been suggested as possible contenders, but are unlikely to be in the reckoning. "We have received a few nominations so far, but in the interest of all the candidates we don't want to release any of the names until after the closing date," Co Committee chairman Barney Allen told the Meath Chronicle. "We will contact the nominees, arrange an interview and then begin the selection process. It is unlikely that we will have a candidate ready for ratification for the next meeting on Monday 4th October. "However, we are keen to avoid a repeat of last year's lengthy process. If we have to, we will convene a special Co Committee meeting before the scheduled November meeting to ratify the new manager. "We will have a specific committee in place to conduct the interviews and we will aim to get the best manager available. "In the interest of Meath football we want to get this issue sorted out promptly," concluded Allen. It took Meath Co Committee over 100 days to appoint O'Brien as Colm Coyle's replacement in 2008.