O'Brien names his selectors

Meath football manager Eamonn O"Brien will take his first steps in putting together a panel of players for the O"Byrne Cup first round clash against Westmeath on Sunday, 4th January when trials are staged at Dunganny this weekend. O"Brien has named his selectors with former Meath players Bob O"Malley and Donal Curtis favoured while another ex-player Colm Brady will conduct the training. The appointments have already been ratified by the Co Committee. O"Malley was involved with the county u-21 team in the past and said that he was 'absolutely and utterly' honoured to be a Meath selector. Former Meath player Liam Hayes was highly critical of the Meath Co Committee in his Sunday Tribune column. Hayes was considered a strong candidate to take over the position of team manager however, withdrew his name on the day he was due to attend an interview for the post. Meath minor manager Pat Coyle will be staying with his management team from last year of Richie Cahill, Martin Blake, Paul Clarke and James Battersby. Nominations for Meath Co Committee convention closed last Friday and it is expected that there will be a contest for the chair with Trim"s Brendan Dempsey expected to challenge outgoing chairman Barney Allen for the seat. It is anticipated that the position of vice-chairman will also see a contest with Brendan Cummins, Enda Smyth, Peter O"Halloran, Tommy Mulvaney and Richard Harrahill all in the running to replace outgoing Cathal Joyce.