Fall of the legends

Saturday night saw the end of an era. Legends who have graced Meath football over the last two decades found the going too tough in Pairc na nGael and opted to call time on illustrious careers. Manager Colm Coyle and his two marquee names Darren Fay and Graham Geraghty announced their departure from the Meath set-up following the 4-3 to 4-12 All-Ireland SFC qualifier loss to Limerick. Coyle didn"t make any rash decisions in the seconds after Saturday night"s defeat, but instead he discussed his role with Tommy Dowd and the pair decided to call it quits. 'On the bus back myself and Tommy (Dowd) had a bit of a chat and at the first drop off in Trim I informed the players of my decision to step down as Meath manager. I was very frustrated by the defeat and the manner of it. The lads didn"t perform on the day for whatever reason,' said Coyle on Tuesday morning. 'We have all put a lot of time and effort into it, but it didn"t work. It is results that count and that is what we are judged on, but they haven"t been good. It wasn"t a typical Meath performance in Limerick so there is obviously something wrong. 'We all have to take responsibility, but at the end of the day the buck stops with me. We knew going into the job there was huge expectancy on us, but we are disappointed for the players and supporters. 'I don"t know what I"m going to do next. I"ve been involved with Meath since I was minor in 1980, except for the two years with Monaghan and the one year out of the game. However, I am a Meath supporter and I want the best for the county,' concluded Coyle. As well as Coyle calling it a day, the expected mass retirement of players got underway immediately after Saturday"s defeat with Darren Fay and Graham Geraghty calling time on their glorious career. 'This is the last year for me. When you start picking up injuries it is harder to recover from them. I"ve had a great career playing with Meath and I"ve made a lot of friends, but I will finish up with it here today,' confirmed Geraghty. 'Another crack at the Aussies could be my swansong, but I saw Sean Boylan here today and he mightn"t be too impressed with what he saw and mightn"t pick me. I"d like to play for my country one last time and then finish up. I"ll go on holidays next year.' Fay was upbeat by the prospects for Meath football in the future, but he confirmed that he will no longer be available. 'It was not to be for me. Most players tend to go out on a low note and most keep going until they can go no more, so I"m calling time now,' said Fay. Tributes flooded in for Fay and Geraghty with Coyle and former chairman Brendan Dempsey leading the praise to both men and thanking them for their outstanding service to Meath football. Already speculation as to who will replace Coyle is raging. Colm O"Rourke was the first name to spring to most people"s minds, but the former Skryne player ruled himself out of the running on Monday evening. An O"Rourke - Gerry McEntee dream ticket was also touted, but with O"Rourke out of the picture that looks unlikely. Former managers Eamonn Barry and Sean Boylan have also been mentioned. It is unlikely that Boylan would risk his magnificent reputation by taking up the reins again, while Barry"s tenure in 2006 left a bitter taste in his mouth after an acrimonious relationship with the Co Committee. Meath have never looked to an outsider to guide them and that policy is likely to continue. However, the Co Committee would be foolish if they didn"t at least enquire into the availability of former Armagh boss Joe Kernan or current Louth incumbent Eamonn McEneaney. There is plenty of home grown talent to choose from. Wolfe Tones coach Tony Kearney has done a remarkable job with his club, guiding them to JFC, IFC and SFC titles in four years. His credentials are superb and he is without doubt the best club coach, but his lack of inter-county experience may count against him. Damien Sheridan"s work with Seneschalstown has marked him as a stand-out coach. He has a vast knowledge of the game, but may be of the opinion that it is best not to be involved if he has sons seeking to win a place on the team. The best bet at this stage seems to 'the two Seans", Sean Kelly and Sean Barry. The pair have worked together with varying degrees of success at club and county level. Their current commitments to Navan O"Mahonys may hinder them, but their ticket may be the golden one needed to bring Meath forward again.