Andy McEntee: Time for Meath to catch up with Dublin

Closing the margin between Meath and Dublin is Andy McEntee’s main aim as he embarks on a three-year term as manager of the Royals.

All-Ireland club-winning boss McEntee was announced as Mick O’Dowd’s successor on Monday night, and without making any promises, said his hope is to make the county’s relationship with their esteemed neighbours more of a rivalry.

“Obviously, everybody realises there’s a big gap, and needless to say our ambition is to close that gap. We’re not really competing with Dublin, who are the benchmark for everybody. So that’s the aim, to close that gap and to be more competitive.”

On the appointment itself, he said: “Any Meath man in a managerial role would like to be managing Meath. It’s a huge honour and a huge privilege and that’s the way I’m approaching it.”

As for what type of football Meath will play under him, the Dunboyne-based man said: “You got to do what you got to do but I still have ideas about how I like to see it played. You still have to compete. I wouldn’t make any definite predictions but Ballyboden play a certain way similar to the way the Meath minors played a number of years ago so it’s hard to see it change too much.”

McEntee’s brother, former Meath midfielder Gerry, along with ex-county players Donal Curtis and Finian Murtagh have been named as selectors.

McEntee said he didn’t need to ask his sibling twice about getting involved.

“Gerry is the type of guy who when he makes his mind up , makes his mind up. People probably know that! This is something he’s wanted to do for some time as well. He feels now is the right time and of course, it’s nice to have a big brother there to help you along and mind your back! He’s been doing it all his life so why change now?”

As it was confirmed on Monday, McEntee will remain in his position as Ballyboden St Enda’s manager for the remainder of the season. Having seen the likes of Anthony Cunningham and Stephen Rochford split duties in the past, he has no concerns about the dual commitments. Ballyboden face Kilmacud Crokes in the second round of the Dublin SFC following the end of the senior footballers’ All-Ireland interests.

“I’ve enjoyed my time with Ballyboden and that’s the one drawback about getting involved with Meath, that this is going to come to an end at some stage. I’d like to think it wouldn’t come to an end too quickly.”

McEntee said he won’t be distracting players from the club commitments as he puts his plans in place for 2017. “The championship is really getting underway in Meath and I’ll leave the players for the moment. We’ll take it a little bit slower.”

Meanwhile, Monaghan have confirmed manager Malachy O’Rourke will be remaining on for a fifth season in charge. In a statement, the board revealed Fermanagh native, who has guided the county to two Ulster SFCs along with Division 2 and 3 titles, agreed to stay on following a period of reflection after the side’s qualifier defeat to Longford last month.