Barry blasts board ‘petty’ decision

FORMER Meath boss Eamonn Barry has hit out at county chairman Barney Allen for what he describes as “laughable” pettiness.

Barry, who managed the county for the 2006 season, was prevented by Allen from putting his name forward on Monday night for the coaching officer role he filled last year.

Speaking at the postponed county convention, Allen said the Walterstown man was not a registered member of the GAA as his application had been processed after the March 31, 2011 deadline.

However, Barry said it was an error on the part of his club. “It was just a genuine mistake made by the club before the deadline, but it was not acceptable to the county board chairman,” said Barry.

Barry doesn’t intend following up the matter but criticised Allen for denying him the chance to run for the position.

“It was so petty it was laughable, so it was, in light of other things that have gone on. I’m going to stick to coaching underage teams and stuff like that. I’ll put it behind me.”

Allen also alleged Barry had not been a registered member of the Association since 2003, a point Barry disputed.

“It was a total red herring. He didn’t want to take any other people’s views on board. He had his mind made up on the matter.”

PJ Cudden was elected the new coaching officer. He will work in tandem with former Meath manager Seán Boylan, who was appointed director of football in the county last September.