Managerial musical chairs nearing conclusion

The precarious position of being in charge of a club football side has seen almost half of Meath GAA's football teams go in search of a fresh manager for the new season.

Even the big guns aren't immune from change with seven of the sides set to operate in the senior ranks in 2024 making changes in their hot seat.

Ratoath are on the look out for their fifth manager in six years after Kevin Reilly stepped away following the the SFC final loss to Summerhill.

Ratoath will be keen to make a long term appointment in succession to Reilly and to follow in the recent footsteps of Davy Byrne, Brian Farrell and David Brady who led them to county titles in 2019, 2020 and 2022 respectively.

It was anticipated that the club might appoint a manager from within the club, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

Curraha have recently appointed Damien Flanagan from Fingal Ravens in succession to Ruairi Murphy.

While St Peter's are sticking with their manager Ger Robinson they have made a very interesting appointment with former Meath manager and current Antrim boss Andy McEntee expected to step into a coaching role once his season with Antrim comes to an end.

McEntee will be involved with the team in a limited capacity during the winter and spring, but once the inter-county season ends he will devote his attention to his own club.

McEntee will take on the role at St Peter's as a replacement for Robinson's right-hand man Shane Barrett who has departed the Dunboyne club to take on the managerial position at his home club Na Fianna.

Cormac Davey left Na Fianna at the end of last year's SFC campaign that saw the side comfortably survive the relegation play-offs.

Another surprise change was the departure of Jody Devine from St Colmcille's. Devine had worked with the seasiders alongside Sean Kelly, who came back to a role within the club after Meath u-20s had concluded their campaign, but now the Ballinlough man has moved on and has been replaced by St Colmcille's own Niall Ronan.

The former Munster and Ireland rugby player has been involved with Meath and with regional teams in recent years and steps up to take change of his own club for the first time.

Trim and Seneschalstown have also made changes with former Meath minor coach and Simonstown man Paul Clarke taking over at St Loman's Park in succession to Ciaran Giblin, while Ciaran Marks has left the Yellow Furze outfit and he will be replaced by Crossmaglen's Stephen Kernan, son of former Armagh boss and Meath selector Joe Kernan.

Skryne replaced their manager Davy Byrne with Mick O'Dowd for their SFC relegation process and O'Dowd will stay on in the role for 2024.

The remaining senior sides are not expected to make any late changes at this stage of the year.

There is an even greater turnaround of managers amongst intermediate clubs with nine of the 16 contenders for the Mattie McDonnell Cup appointing new men in charge.

The two newcomers into the 2024 IFC, Moynalvey, who were relegated from senior, and Kilbride, who won the JFC, are sticking with last year's bosses, Caoimhin King and Leo Turley respectively. However, surprisingly Duleek-Bellewstown, who have lost out in each of the last two IFC deciders, have parted ways with Joe Sheridan and he will be replaced by Cian Flanagan.

Another surprise departure is Aidan Young who guided Castletown to Meath and Leinster Club JFC glory. He is replaced by Monaghan Harps man Paddy Kelly.

Other changes of direction will see William Farrelly step up from a coaching role with Blackhall Gaels to take charge of the Batterstown/Kilcloon men, while Judd McNabb, who has moved to Ramor United in Virginia, will be replaced as Oldcastle boss by former Ballinlough manager Brian Donohoe.

St Michael's have also dipped into the Cavan pool to appoint a new manager with Ramor's John Brady taking over from Mick O'Rourke who has moved to take charge of the Cavan senior ladies.

Nobber have also made an exciting new appointment with former Glen Emmets manager Marty Morgan taking charge.

Several clubs have yet to make a new appointment as far as we are aware with Ballivor not yet replacing Sean Corrigan who has taken over as Meath u-20 hurling manager. Neil Reynolds has yet to be replaced in Walterstown and Longwood are still searching for a new manager to replace Noel Kerrigan and Aaron Ennis.

Six of the 10 teams scheduled to compete in the JFC in 2024 (that could increase to 12 depending on championship structures) will have new men in charge.

Syddan have turned in-house for their new bosses with Shay and Philly Duff handed the reins. Kevin Dowd has answered his home club Dunderry's call and he will be joined by Pat O'Halloran in an exciting new team. Kevin Cahill will step up from his coaching role with Dunsany to take charge of them for 2024, while Paul McManus will take over from Marcus Morrison at St Vincent's and Gary Farrelly will manage Kilmainham. Conn Cleary has left Ballinlough and will be replaced by Ken Rothwell.

St Paul's are the only team in Junior B yet to appoint a manager, but it is unclear if they will affiliate for 2024 yet.

Eastern Gaels will keep Mick Molloy in charge for their second year in existence and in a ground breaking move for Meath Ladies All-star Ger Doherty will take on a coaching role under Martin Hughes managerial leadership at her own club St Ultan's (see feature on Ger on pages 36 & 37).

Drumconrath have appointed Dudley Farrell as their new man in charge, while St Mary's have stayed within their own club and appointed Nicky Gogan. Sean Carolan will take over in Kilmainhamwood. The other Junior B contenders will go again with the men they trusted last year.