GAELIC GAMES/Meath managerial position: Following Seán Boylan's decision to let his name go forward for a 23rd year as Meath football manager, two strong candidates for the position - Colm Coyle and Gerry McEntee - have categorically ruled themselves out of the race.
Another potential successor, Colm O'Rourke, while declaring his interest in the role, would not commit either way. Eamonn Barry, who has challenged Boylan for the previous two years, is expected to be nominated again before Tuesday's deadline. The voting of the county board delegates will take place on August 23rd.
Coyle's decision not to go for the job is surprising as he has just finished a two-year stint with Monaghan and after two previous campaigns as a selector under Boylan he seemed primed to step forward. He recently succeeded Barry as Dunshaughlin football manager.
"A few clubs have been on to me but it takes up an awful lot of time," said Coyle. "Everything in your life must be put on hold and I have been wondering if it is worth it. Maybe down the line I will consider it.
"My general feeling is that there is no better man than Seán. The great thing about Seán is he is a great man for taking the criticism and then going away and reassessing the whole situation."
Coyle's backing leaves Boylan in a strong position to retain the job. Despite the strong criticism levelled at him after two successive defeats to Fermanagh in the All-Ireland qualifiers and the failure to reach a Leinster final since 2001, Coyle still feels a change of manager is not the answer.
"The match they lost against Fermanagh this year and last year was down to the players on the pitch. It's the panel that needs a shake-up. There are a few there who are just playing from memory. I was a selector under Seán in 2001 and 2002 and there were lads in the panel who have not progressed since. The appetite doesn't seem to be there."
McEntee also has a strong-enough pedigree to take over the position but the Dublin-based surgeon, who guided St Brigid's to their first county and Leinster titles last year, does not envisage himself ever making the step-up to intercounty level.
"I have no interest in being a manager of an intercounty team. You need to be either unemployed, with a private sponsor, or independently wealthy and I'm neither. I think a lot of people in Meath will be pushing certain people forward. Regardless of who the manager is, Meath football needs a major shake-up," said McEntee.
O'Rourke would have little problem in receiving a nomination if he so wished. At present, he is tied up with his media work but his success as International Rules manager (1998 and 1999) will stand him in good stead. Also, he managed Simonstown Gaels to the county final last year and St Patrick's College, Navan, have won Leinster and All-Ireland college titles under his tutelage.
"It is something I would consider at some stage," was his non-committal response.
Barry has twice run against Boylan but fared worse last year than in 2002. Yet the man who led Dunshaughlin to three county victories and one Leinster crown is still keen on the role.
"I have achieved as much as I can at club level and have made no secret of the fact that I want a step up to county management, especially with my own county.
"I understand Seán completely; he has a huge love for football. He is like Páidí Ó Sé or Mick O'Dwyer. Seán is prepared to do as much as he can for Meath. Yet, it's a sad day when there is no competition. It's a bad way to be. It shouldn't be a foregone conclusion. It's completely healthy and gives clubs a greater choice."
The early years (1982-1985) and the gap between the great teams (1992-1995) were previously the worst periods under Boylan but these were offset by the Centenary Cup (1984) and defeats to a strong Dublin team.
Since the hammering by Galway in the 2001 All-Ireland final discontent has steadily grown in the county but widespread mutiny has yet to happen. Also, stern challenges have come before in the shape of Barry, Shane McEntee - brother of Gerry - and the Mattie Kerrigan and Paul Kenny combination.
Last Monday's decision not to make the post a three-year term may be the county board's way of giving Boylan one last shot.
The great full back of the 1980s and former selector Mick Lyons echoes the thoughts of many who have served under Boylan.
"He'd know himself if it was time to go. I don't think anyone in the county will be putting the knife in his back. We wouldn't have won anything if not for Seán Boylan. Having said that, the politics of the GAA is very similar to actual politics."
Opposition to Boylan's reign exists but no one is prepared to openly go to war.
There are plenty of clubs that wish to see him challenged but former lieutenants don't appear to have the stomach to dethrone their great general, even if the empire is beginning to crumble.
Tuesday's nominations will give a clearer picture of the county's future path.
