BOYLAN TALK SPORT: Standing at the crossroads
“Sitting at the dock of the bay, watching the time roll away/sitting on the dock of the bay, wasting time”.
Followed by possibly the most recognisable whistling noise in music, writes Brendan Boylan.
To me, the whistling has always represented a distracted soul whittling away the time. That, essentially, will be the lot of all associated with the Meath men’s football until the back end of the year or early next year after Sunday’s narrow defeat to Monaghan at Kingspan Breffni.
For clarity, it must be said that, while it ended up a close contest, halfway through the second half, it appeared the Farney Army were going to coast to once again ending up further on in the championship than perhaps longer than they thought possible themselves. Opening up a nine point cushion for themselves before Conor McManus was unleashed from the bench.
However, it was Meath’s resolute determination to attempt a retrieval mission which leads to the inclination this Meath side are at somewhat of a crossroads. Reason being that, in those closing stages, Colm O’Rourke’s charges showed what they were capable of.
Getting kickouts away quickly and safely. Moving bodies and the ball up the field with rapidity and notching some fine scores via Mathew Costello, Eoghan Frayne and the introduced duo of Ronan Jones and James Conlon (two each). All of which left just a kick of the ball between the sides as the sand evaporated from the timer.
It’s only natural that there will now be a period of reflection and pondering at the end of any campaign. But, as was mentioned in this column last week, there may be a decision to be made.
When Colm took the job, the arrangement was a three year term with a review after two. Presumably, said evaluation will now take place. At the end of which it boils down to this - is there trust and belief in the current entourage to continue what they’ve started or do some genuinely feel that a change at the helm would hasten our return to where it’s perceived we should be?
The nearest to a simple answer you’re likely to get to that would be that it may boil down to whether senior members (in age) of the current panel are willing to go into the trenches again. Thoughts turn to players such as Donal Keogan, Ronan Jones, Cillian O’Sullivan and Shane Walsh - if his injury nightmare ever abates.
If it was the case that some or all of the above were to take their leave, it may well equate to having to start afresh with what would be a very raw, inexperienced panel.
Though if overtures in this direction are any way accurate, that shouldn’t be an issue. Thus, if such is the case, any changes to the existing panel would materialise via developments in the upcoming club championships. Let’s see who puts their hand up.