Vote sees Boylan earn 23rd season

Dunboyne herbalist Sean Boylan has defeated Eamonn Barry in the Meath managerial vote for a third successive year, guaranteeing a 23rd season at the helm of the Royals.

Tonight's County Board meeting in Simonstown saw 87 members vote on the decision. Sixty-year-old Boylan, who has led Meath to four All-Irelands, the latest being in 1999, scored a 50-37 victory over former Dunshaughlin supremo Barry.

Paul Kenny withdrew from the race this morning, and Mattie Kerrigan, formerly in charge of both Westmeath and Cavan, bowed out on Friday.

Barry lost out to Boylan in 2002 on by 49 votes to 30, and 69-19 last year, despite Meath losing out 0-9 to 1-12 to Fermanagh in the qualifiers.

The Erne men also scuppered Boylan's All-Ireland plans in 2004, winning an extra-time thriller, 0-19 to 2-12 on July 3, in Navan.

Junior football manager Dessie Hamilton was also returned to office, defeating Peter Fox on a 51-36 count.