"It was a very hard decision and one I have changed my mind about over and over again"

Meath manager Murray steps down after guiding the Royals to back-to-back All-Ireland SFC success

On the bus home from Mullingar after winning the All-Ireland MFC B title with a comprehensive victory over Roscommon in 2016 victorious Meath manager Eamonn Murray sat at the front with his coaches and hummed a tune - 'One day like this' by Elbow.

'One day like this a year would see me right' he sang before quickly turning to his coaches and admitting "one day like this in a lifetime would be enough".

Little did he know then that he would have many more days like that, 'beautiful days'.

This weekend Murray made the hardest decision he has ever had to make in his managerial career - he called time on his days in charge of the Meath Ladies and what a journey it has been.

Before guiding a team that included Vikki Wall, Kelsey Nesbit, Megan Thynne, Aoibhin Cleary, Emma White, Sarah Wall, Regina Hand to that minor title in 2016 Murray had been in charge when Maire O'Shaughnessy, Bridgetta Lynch, Orlagh Duff and Kate Byrne were in the side that won the All-Ireland u-16 FC in 2009 - so the Cavan born Boardsmill man was no stranger to success - he was steeped in Meath Ladies football with four football-mad daughters.

In 2017 he was tasked with his biggest challenge yet. Refloating a sinking ship.

Meath had been on the wane for quite some time. The 40-point humbling by Cork in August 2015 was a low ebb.

Regrading to intermediate looked to be the Royals only course of action, rebuild from the bottom.

Many tried to get the Royals afloat again, but all struggled. Big name coaches like Paula Cunningham and Diane O'Hora were all tasked with the job, managers who went on to prove their excellence elsewhere like Lar Wall also took a shot, but came up short.

Meath needed a steady hand and there was none steadier than Murray's.

Determined to bring fresh ideas to Meath Ladies, Murray set about building a management team around him of people who hadn't been involved with the Royals before, a team with no baggage, a team with a single-minded focus to be the best.

He made contact with Oldcastle native Paul Garrigan who was forging a reputation in Wicklow and brought Seneschalstown's Michelle Grimes on board as his female liaison officer. That trio met with the Co Board and once appointed they set about constructing the best backroom team possible.

Garrigan brought Paddy Dowling and Shane Wall with him from Wicklow and after the disappointment of losing out to Tipperary in the All-Ireland IFC semi-final in their first year in charge, Meath regrouped and Murray went again.

Defeats in the All-Ireland IFC finals in 2018 and '19 followed, but then everything fell into place. Eugene Eivers was brought in to improve strength and conditioning and he transformed the team.

Murray acknowledged his role and that of his coaches. His management team facilitated the Meath players to be the best they could be.

After those two All-Ireland finals losses Meath embarked on a remarkable run that saw them win one intermediate and two senior All-Ireland crowns as well as NFL Div 1, 2 and 3 titles.

Murray and his management redesigned Ladies Football and transformed it into a sport that has captured the imagination of the whole country, not just Meath.

So why has Murray decided to call time on his journey?

"Believe me, it was a very hard decision and one I have changed my mind about over and over again. Ever since the final whistle went in Croke Park I feared this day, I've hardly slept a wink since. Only last week I was out scouting more players and looking forward to the future, but after some serious soul-searching I believe it is in the best interests of Meath Ladies that I pass the baton on to someone else - and the best interests of Meath Ladies is all I care about," Murray exclusively told the Meath Chronicle.

"When Paul (Garrigan) and Shane (Wall) made it clear they were ending their time with Meath it prompted me to think long and hard about my role.

"I had a very special relationship with Paul, Shane and Mark (Brennan). We knew each others strengths and I let them work at what they do best, coaching and strategising.

"With the Paul and Shane gone it meant we had to build a new backroom team and that special dynamic we had might not work as well. New coaches coming in might want a different approach and that is only fair that they are allowed a clear crack at this job."

Murray still believes that, despite the departure of a number of players for various reasons and the change in coaching set-up, Meath still have what it takes to win a third successive Brendan Martin Cup.

"There is no denying the quality of the girls. They are supreme footballers and athletes. They will still go on and achieve great things, I've no doubt about that," he insisted.

"These girls could manage themselves. They are so driven, so talented and so focused that all they need is the right environment to flourish and that is what we provided for them. They did all the hard work and they deserve all the plaudits they have received."

So what now for Murray?

"Ah I'm sure I won't be too far away. Football and family has been my life and now I'll get to spend a little more time with my family," he admitted.

"There have been tough times over the last few years, on and off the pitch, but football and family have got us through all those challenges, so I won't be walking away totally from football, but I will be spending more time with my family.

"Clare and the girls Eimear, Cliona, Maeve and Aoife have had to put up with a lot over the last few years and listen to me giving out, but they have been a huge support throughout this whole journey. They are the ones that made it all worthwhile for me.

"I've also been blessed to work with a great group of coaches and backroom team over the years. It takes a village to make everything work and without the collective efforts of Paddy, Paul, Shane, Mark (Brennan), Irene (Munnelly), Michelle, Mary (O'Shaughnessy), Dr John (Peters), Hayley (Clarke) and Barry McEntee from McEntee Performance and Eugene, Ross (Flynn) and Packie (Reilly) none of this would have been possible.

"I know I've said it many times before that I took on this job when no one else wanted it and I want to thank Fearghal Harney for convincing me to give it a go, it certainly worked out okay. I also want to thank everyone who has worked on the Co Board over the last six years, it's not an easy job, but they were so supportive of us and what we wanted to do.

"The clubs in Meath also weighted in behind us and gave us their full support. It wasn't easy for them releasing their players for months at a time, but they understood our goals and hopefully we sent the players back to their clubs as better players.

"One of the proudest things for me has been seeing the huge growth in our support over these few years. To walk around Croke Park a few weeks ago and see all the Meath flags and jerseys in the crowd was amazing.

"If we are remembered for nothing else I hope it is that we inspired a generation of youngsters. When you see kids in the street wearing the girls Kepak shirts it just makes my heart swell. I am so proud of that, above all the trophies and victories, to be able to see little kids looking up to our star players is absolutely amazing.

"I know I've said all this wouldn't have been possible without the management, but without the players and their unwavering belief, dedication and desire Meath football would still be in a poor state.

"The players have been simply phenomenal. They are the most dedicated, humble, and determined group I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

"They train hard and play harder and always with a smile on their face. That happy environment at training is what I will miss most.

"Those players have been a shoulder I have cried on, they have been rocks for each other and they deserve every bit of respect they receive because they have earned it with no airs and no graces, the hard way.

"This group of players are not finished yet and while my journey with them has come to an end there is many more great days ahead and I look forward to cheering them on from the sidelines and I guarantee them they will still hear me at the matches.

"It has been a hell of a journey and one I am so proud to have made. To every person who has shook my hand, pulled on a jersey for Meath, put down a cone at training or has enjoyed every step of our journey I want to thank them for coming with us and providing me with the best days of my life," concluded Murray.