Three-horse race in Meath

The Meath footballing community is in a state of shock today after Sean Boylan announced that he would be stepping down as senior manager.

The Dunboyne herbalist last night ended his 23-year reign as Royals' boss by informing the Meath County Board that he would not be seeking another year in charge.

According to sources, Boylan had been anxious to agree a longer tenure (than just the additional one-year) and withdrew his name from the contest on being informed that county by-laws prohibited such a move.

Eamonn Barry, the man defeated by Boylan in the managerial vote over the past three seasons, now looks favourite to take over.

Barry lost the 2004 vote by 50-37 to Boylan, who led Meath to four All-Ireland successes and eight Leinster titles in his time.

Barry, former Louth manager Paddy Carr and Benny Reddy now look set to battle it out for the vacant managerial position, having all been interviewed on Monday.

Along with Boylan, Mattie Kerrigan and Eamonn McEnaney withdrew their names from the contest yesterday, making it a three-horse race for next Monday night's all-important vote.