Managerial momentum gathers pace

The race to decide who will be the manager of the Meath senior football team will move up a few notches later this week and early next week when interviews get underway. Keegan Cup-winning manager Liam Harnan and former Monaghan coach Seamus McEneaney are among the high profile names who have put themselves forward for the position while former manager Eamonn O’Brien has not ruled himself out. Harnan won All-Ireland medals with Meath in 1987 and ’88 at centre-back. He stepped down as manager of the Meath u-16s earlier this year after a brief spell in charge although his reputation as a coach received a huge boost when he led Skryne to a Keegan Cup triumph over Seneschalstown a few weeks ago. For the past few week rumours have been swirling around the county as to who would or wouldn’t go for the post and with interviews due to take place over the weekend and early next week the race is about to intensify further. Also expected to be in the mix is former manager Eamonn Barry while it is understood that Seneschalstown’s Damien Sheridan is interested in attending an interview. A number of the candidates have adopted a 'wait-and-see’ strategy including O’Brien who was surprisingly removed from the post when delegates voted against him continuing on as manager for another year at the September Co Committee meeting. Over the past few weeks, however, it is understood that various clubs have approached O’Brien about putting his name forward again and he could be persuaded to try and regain the post he has held for two years. His supporters point to the fact that he won Meath’s first Leinster title in nine years this summer and made it to an All-Ireland semi-final in 2009. At the time of writing Colm O’Rourke had yet to decide if he would go forward while a number of other candidates which include Gerry McEntee have also employed a 'wait and see strategy.’ The indications are that McEntee will not go forward. Also nominated is Paddy Carr who will be busy this week preparing Kilmacud Crokes for the forthcoming Dublin SFC final against McEntee’s team St Brigid’s. The interviews will be conducted by Co Committee chairman Barney Allen, All-Ireland winning captain Joe Cassells and GAA Central Hearings Committee member Liam Keane.