McEnaney: Meath will be a band of brothers

IT was early in the night at last October’s All Stars when the topic of who would succeed Eamonn O’Brien as Meath manager was broached with a couple of Royals’ footballers.

One ventured there would be retirements if the right appointment wasn’t made, and on the likelihood of Seamus McEnaney becoming the county’s manager, opinion was divided.

One could see it happening; the other couldn’t. The latter’s concerns were understandable. The Monaghan man’s appointment the following month came after a laborious process as reassurances about costs and expenses had to be given before McEnaney was given the green light.

But what was most interesting about the chat that night was both players’ support for McEnaney getting the job. As they and the rest of the panel knuckle down to the early season rigours, which has them playing UCD in the O’Byrne Cup tomorrow, they might re-think their favour for the Corduff man.

McEnaney is promising his players will be put through the ringer by coaches Paul Grimley and Martin McElkennon. If they don’t like it, they know where the gate is.

“I was pleased with the respect the players showed when I called them up,” McEnaney said. “They know in no uncertain terms what it’s going to take to play for Meath in 2011 and the type of commitment required.”

Meath’s sense of tradition and their exciting forward line greatly appealed to McEnaney when he was first approached about putting his name forward.

His five years with Monaghan saw them blend a most effective style of football with some unsavoury acts. Pundits and opponents complained of them being masters in the dark arts - something McEnaney would consider a backhanded compliment.

“It’s fair to say that the defence hasn’t lived up to what you’d expect from a Meath defence. Meath have a reputation of being a strong team that is hard to beat. In some people’s opinion, this team hasn’t lived up to that reputation.

“They have great tradition and through the years have played a style of football that is very attractive but hard to beat. It’s a tradition I want to be true again.”

It’s early days and but for weights programmes, a boxing night and training this week, McEnaney hasn’t had much time to get his teeth into his new role.

“It’s been awkward,” he admitted. “Over the last month we intended to hold three trials and we couldn’t with the snow. We’re just getting on with the job.

“We’ve four weeks to get ready for the first round of the National Football League. We’ll have trials in the meantime and we’ll use the O’Byrne Cup for trials as well.

“I believe we’ve the best sport in the world, but there is no other sport that doesn’t have a pre-season. We were back in training on Tuesday night and five days later we play our first game. That, for me, is a recipe for injury.

“But I’m delighted to have the opportunity to manage these players and put together a panel that represents the best of what Meath has to offer.”

McEnaney forms part of a three-prong Ulster managerial invasion in Leinster this year as he joins Justin McNulty in Laois and Kildare boss Kieran McGeeney in bringing a strong northern influence to the province.

“They can’t keep us in Ulster! Maybe they’re glad to get rid of us because it’s starting to look like that!” he laughed. “Ah no, counties are turning to outside managers and from Meath’s point of view, it’s a completely different direction to have taken.

“There are only nine counties in Ulster, so only nine people can manage at a time. I’m sure, like me, Kieran McGeeney and Justin McNulty would always want to steer clear of playing their own county if they can at all.

“The first step in that is getting out of the Ulster championship, and one thing that made it easier for me to make the decision was the fact that Meath are in a different division to Monaghan as well.”

McEnaney will surely heed advice from Joe Kernan, whose foray in Galway ended after one season, but bemoaned the fact he was the last inter-county manager appointed last year.

“It was a huge move for Meath so it needed to go through due process and I think everyone has now had their say. Everywhere I’ve travelled through the county, I’ve been made welcome and the people of Meath want to get behind us,” he concluded.

“No other county in Ireland has a passion about their football as Meath do. I’m looking forward to taking from that passion and putting it into our football, both in our home and away games this year.”

Picture: BANDSTAND: Seamus McEnaney negotiates a marching band before taking the field at last year’s Ulster final. Picture: Morgan Treacy