Brendan Boylan Column: Be very careful what you wish for…

The wheels of life naturally go full circle. Another way of saying the same thing - history repeats itself. Thus, regarding current pressing matters related to Meath GAA, we’ve been here before. Now read on…

In fact, the last mini-series of comparable posturing was even more farcical. How exactly Eamonn O’Brien was removed from his position as Meath senior football manager weeks after leading the county to a first Leinster title in nine years remains inexplicable.

Now, Colm O’Rourke hasn’t thus far guided the county to a garnering of the Delaney Cup but there are at least signs that they still have forward propulsion on their side. Something which is only likely to become more magnified as time goes on due to hugely significant Leinster u-20 FC success recorded earlier this year.

On foot of which you’d have thought continuity would be the order of the day. Granted, in this instance, continuity could take a couple of different forms. On one hand, it could equate to Colm staying in situ - albeit with a revamped backroom ensemble.

Though equally, said continuity could be said to accrue, for example, if Cathal O Bric was to either become part of Colm’s entourage or, indeed, take the job in his own right. As he would of course have worked with any of those who were involved with the annexation of the Seamus Flood Cup this past spring.

Whilst not for a moment seeking to demean the view of my fellow hack-on-wheels JP O’Brien who - via his MeathGAALad1 page on X - was of the view that the procrastinating may be down to the fact that either (i) Colm doesn’t want to remain in the role or (ii) the powers that be are leaning towards change, that narrative doesn’t stack up with the overtures emanating from An Bainisteoir himself who made the point that he was “Still actively working hard to put a strong (backroom) team together” when an inquiry was made on Friday last.

My own gut feeling is that the end product will end up being a hybrid of the two ideas mentioned earlier. Already, it seems fairly common knowledge that both Barry Callaghan and Stephen Bray have stepped away from their roles. So even if common sense doth prevail and Colm were to remain in situ, his backroom team would require alteration.

I have very clear ideas about who I would love to see stepping up into the role but with the strong inclination here being that their face wouldn’t fit with the powers that be, what may well end up happening is the addition of O Bric to the senior set up as a means of taking a longer term view.

Wouldn’t it look like a succession plan? Mind you, if there are a cohort seeking change (and I would consider it very harsh if such were the case) they would need to be very careful what they wish for.

As referenced at the beginning of this offering, Meath have been here before. Not just by way of the Eamonn O’Brien case either. With none other than Sean Boylan himself.

At the end of the 2005 season, not only was the great man asked to go through an interview process, when he asked for a two year term with the stipulation that he would hand over to a chosen successor (believed to be Colm Coyle at the time) at the end of the second season, his proposal was refused.

Thankfully, Colm engineered a very clever move whereby he made Sean part of his management team. No doubt the thought process was that such a move would draw a favourable response from all and sundry. Not to mention the invaluable input the man over the bridge can have with the players. It now becomes a case of hoping those making crucial decisions for the future of Meath football don’t repeat the mistakes of the past.

WELCOME INITIATIVE TO SHOW CLUB GAMES

Having just been critical of the decision makers in the Royal County, credit must be bestowed upon the relevant individuals who instigated the brilliant new initiative between Meath GAA and online sports broadcaster clubber.ie. As a result of which a plethora of matches from the local club competitions - including the Regional Football Championships - will be broadcast on the platform.

Now, not only is it a great comfort to yours truly - especially as, due to circumstances beyond my control I’ll be out of action possibly until county final time - the really standout facet of the arrangement is that the games to be broadcast via the website will also be streamed into Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan and local nursing homes.

Whoever was pulling the strings in the control room far away certainly smiled upon those behind the idea because for the premiere of the new service viewers were treated to an absolute thriller in the Meath SHC between age-old rivals Kilmessan and Trim.

Wherein the hitherto unbeaten latter got away to a flyer courtesy of a spectacular James Murray goal and a phalanx of points from David Murtagh, Murray, Mikey Cole left the reds clear by 1-10 to 0-05 early on, but thanks to an equally brilliant Sean Doyle goal and two thirds of an Eoin Harkin hat-trick, somewhat incredibly, Nicky Horan’s side had regained parity, 3-06 to 1-12, by the time referee Kevin Brady ended Act I.

Not only had Kilmessan got back to parity, but, when Harkin raised his third green flag, it ensured Trim were taken out on the rising blue wave.