Outsider for Meath

AS the search for the new Meath manager hots up, former player Colm O"Rourke says that those in charge of seeking out a new coach should look outside the county, if that"s what it takes to get the right man. Speaking to the Meath Chronicle, O"Rourke said any suggestion that the search should be confined to the borders of the county needs to be ignored. O"Rourke was touted as a potential candidate when the post became vacant, but he withdrew from the race early on because of the involvement of his son Shane. 'I certainly wouldn"t have any opposition to going outside the county, if the right man is available,' he said. 'I think it is silly to say we have to stay inside the county. I don"t know if anybody has been approached or not, but if the right man is available there is no reason why officials shouldn"t go and get him. 'The Co Committee should identify their man and go after him regardless of where he is from. Going outside should not be ruled out as a policy,' he added. The former Simonstown manager admitted that the Meath job would be a big challenge for anybody who takes it on requiring a great deal of hard work, but that there is plenty of promising raw material to work with. He felt there was no reason for Meath supporters to despair despite the retirement of Darren Fay and Graham Geraghty from the inter-county scene. 'It"s a big challenge, there is no doubt about that, but it is a major opportunity as well, there is plenty of good young players in Meath, there"s no shortage of footballers, we will have a good team, it"s probably a two or a three-year job. I wouldn"t be at all pessimistic. 'There"s plenty of footballers in Meath, the future is very bright, but what Meath need to do now is get a committed group of players, they need not be the most talented group in the county. They need to go with the most committed.' The RTE GAA analyst pointed to the Sean Boylan days when the Dunboyne herbalist had to rebuild teams a number of times. Each time he found talented players who were able to bring glory back to the banks of the Boyne. 'When one era ends it brings a new opportunity for a new team. 'When the players of my era finished Boylan came along with a new team that won two All-Irelands. Why can"t the same thing be done again,' concluded O"Rourke. Another former player who feels that the Co Committee should look outside the county is Ollie Murphy who added that in his view no candidate stands out within Meath to replace Colm Coyle. The Carnaross clubman feels that Joe Kernan would be the ideal man to take charge although the former Armagh manger is unlikely to be chosen. What is required, added Murphy, is a strong manager although he shouldn"t have to be preoccupied with motivating players. 'There should not be any need for motivation, pulling on the green and gold jersey should be enough motivation, at least it was when we were playing, and it"s hardly changed all that much,' said Murphy. Among the candidates from outside the county who have been nominated by clubs in Meath are Luke Dempsey and Kernan. The Co Committee are expected to interview candidates over the coming week and there is speculation that they will have a nominee to put before the club delegates at the next meeting on Monday, 8th September. Candidates from within Meath who are expected to go forward for interviews include Eamonn Barry, Dudley Farrell and Sean Kelly. Others nominated by clubs were Jody Devine, Damien Sheridan, Mick O"Dowd and former Louth boss Paddy Carr. The Co Committee have not released any information. There is a strong feeling within local GAA circles that the nomination process is merely a cosmetic exercise, with clubs having no significant say in who is finally put forward for the post. According to a survey carried out by the Meath Chronicle last week a large proportion of clubs didn"t submit any candidate .