O'Rourke steps down as Meath senior football manager

Consistently and persistently throughout his two year tenure as Meath senior football manager Colm O'Rourke called for patience to allow his young team and the plans set in motion to succeed, but it appears that plea has fallen on deaf ears and the two-time All-Ireland SFC winner has stepped down from his role.

O'Rourke confirmed his departure to the Irish Independent last night following a weekend of rumours that he had decided to call time on his short stint in charge.

O'Rourke had been in the process of assembling a new backroom team following the decision of Barry Callaghan and Stephen Bray to step down from their roles as coaches and selectors, but time ran out on that process.

O'Rourke was expected to inform the Meath GAA Co Executive committee of the make up of his new backroom team before tonight's executive meeting and for approval by delegates at tomorrow night's (Tuesday) Co Committee meeting, but it appears he was not in a position to make that deadline.

It is understood that O'Rourke had approached a number of potential new coaches, but they couldn't confirm their position because they are still involved with clubs in the ongoing football championships and he did not want to compromise that.

O'Rourke was handed a two-year term with the option of a third when he replaced Andy McEntee as Meath manager. That review into the first two years took place after the All-Ireland series loss to Monaghan and while it was meant to conclude over a week ago the process was extended to allow the manager time to build a new backroom team.

However O'Rourke needed more time and patience to build his backroom team, but when it became evident that that wasn't forthcoming he decided to step down.

Now the search for another new manager is underway.

All-Ireland MFC winning manager Cathal O Bric is a leading candidate, but he might believe he has unfinished work to do with the under-20s.

All-Ireland SFC club winning boss with Kilmacud Crokes, Robbie Brennan is another potential candidate, while Lar Wall who worked with Roscommon this year could also be in the frame.

Time will tell, but something needs to happen quickly with only one round of the group stages of the football championship remaining for any new manager to cast his eye over potential players for the squad.

After 23 years of stability under Sean Boylan Meath are now looking for their eighth manager in the last 19 years.

Here's the statement issued by Meath GAA this morning regarding O'Rourke's departure.

Colm O’Rourke has advised the Meath GAA County Committee that he is not seeking re-appointment as the Senior Football Manager.

Everyone in Meath GAA, expresses their heartfelt thanks to Colm and his management team for their hard work over the past two years.

During that time, there has been a major change over in the panel with many players getting their first taste of senior inter-county football.

This group will, undoubtedly, form the basis of Meath teams for many years. Colm and his team managed this transition and along the way managed to win the Tailteann Cup in 2023.

The players will have benefitted enormously by learning from Meath legends like Colm and his selectors: Stephen Bray, Barry Callaghan, and Trevor Giles; as well as from the vastly experienced, Shane Supple.