As the sun shone on in Inniskeen Sunday, 25th May, Louth put Meath to the sword. It would be one of Colm O’Rourke’s last games at the helm. The news of his resignation breaking on RTE radio will surprise few. Despite the genuine drive and ambition to find a Meath team to compete in the ‘modern’ game, O’Rourke and the backroom team failed and looked lost and rudderless in the campaign this year. Despite the success of The Tailteann Cup against Down last summer, the swallows did not follow to this year. Results were disastrous, questions were being asked, the great man from Skyrne was being called into question.
There was to be a meeting tonight to discuss the state of affairs in Meath football. Whatever you want to believe in the rumor mill, O’Rourke hasn’t waited on the deliberations. He’s GONE.
Forty years ago, Sean Boylan lead the Meath team to victory over Monaghan in the Centenary Cup, O’Rourke would be one of the stars in that era that would bring All Irelands in 1987 & 1988, National League titles, Leinster titles from 1986 onwards. Meath were on a high that would run to 1999. We got also to a 2001 All Ireland final against Galway, and debated Leinster title in 2010 against Louth. They put us away in Inniskeen in May. Oasis are planning a come back which is also hitting the headlines today, hopefully we won’t have look back in anger at the present situation.
It is not a time for slatting the deeds of one of Meath greatest stars, but accepting where we are. More importantly how do get back to being a team other counties fear. There will be plenty to discuss tonight at the Meath County Board and around the county.
