Board suspends ex-Meath boss Eamonn Barry in Royal rumpus

Meath GAA’s management committee has handed down a shock eight-week suspension to one of its members, coaching and games officer, Eamonn Barry.

At a board meeting, Barry attempted to raise the manner of the appointment of an underage football manager but was prevented from doing so by chairman Conor Tormey, who earlier followed Barry around the room and confiscated “offending literature” which was handed out to board delegates.

“The contents of a letter handed out by a certain individual will not be discussed,” said the chairman.

Vice-chairman Peter O’Halloran remarked he “would not be not be talking to that man (Barry) any more”. Last November Barry unsuccessfully called for an investigation into incidents at an under-21 club game.

The Walterstown club man has been a controversial figure since succeeding the long-serving Sean Boylan as the Royals’ manager for the 2006 season. Midway through that term he was called before a county board meeting and forced to adhere to certain guidelines before being allowed to continue in the position.

Barry landed one trophy for Meath, the O’Byrne Cup, gained with a final victory over Dublin at Parnell Park, but was not reappointed in the autumn of 2006. He was replaced by Colm Coyle, who became the second of five managers after Boylan’s departure.

Barry subsequently became the county coaching and games officer but had to vacate the position for a term in 2012 when the then chairman, Barney Allen, blocked his reelection because he had failed to register as a GAA member for the previous year in time.

The management committee’s proposal will be put before the next county board meeting, scheduled for Syddan on June 8, for ratification. If passed, it is likely that Barry will appeal the decision to Leinster Council.