Cone of silence as Harnan vacates manager's seat

Meath under-age football suffered another major setback this week when it emerged that former All-Ireland-winning star Liam Harnan had resigned from his role as manager of the u-16 team. Apart from Leinster MFC titles for Dudley Farrell's side in 2006 and Pat Coyle in 2008, under-age success has been scarce for Meath, but the appointment of Harnan and a backroom team of former inter-county stars at u-16 level was seen as a major step forward. However, Harnan, and his backroom team, have now stepped down The current Skryne senior football manager and former Moynalvey player declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the Meath Chronicle. Meath u-18 Committee chairman Brendan Dempsey said that the decision was "disappointing" and he also declined to comment further on Harnan's decision to call time on his short tenure as u-16 manager. Harnan's resignation has left Meath Co Committee officials with a vacuum to fill. The u-16 panel is scheduled to play in a Leinster blitz competition in Dublin on Saturday. Dempsey confirmed that County Coaching officer Farrell will take charge of the team in the interim and with the Gerry Reilly u-16 FT postponed for a couple of weeks, the u-18 committee will be hoping to fill the role quickly. Meath's u-14 panel will play two games against Westmeath at Dunganny on Saturday. The first game is set for a 11.0 throw-in with the second teams due to clash at 12.15. Nominations for the Meath minor football manager's position will close on Friday, 25th June. Outgoing manager Davy Dalton is expected to be nominated again and, if so, he is likely to be re-appointed for another term.