MEATH County Board chairman Fintan Ginnity has hit out against those who criticised the county following their All-Ireland football triumph last September.

He said at the Meath convention yesterday that the various detractors could not stop the players taking so many awards at the end of the year.

"Let's hope there is a general election in 1997 so that certain people who know nothing about football can turn to writing about politics," he said.

Ginnity, who was returned unopposed to serve a 12th term as chairman, praised all those associated with the senior team. He said that if Wexford hurling manager Liam Griffin has been hailed as The Messiah, Meath manager Sean Boylan should be called The Motivator.

The only surprise in the election of officers was the decision of PRO Brendan Cummins not to let his name go forward again. Cummins had held the position for the past nine years. He was replaced by James Brady of the Ballinlough club.