Barry 'delighted with Meath appointment

Eamonn Barry has expressed his delight at being appointed as new manager of the Meath footballers.

Former Dunshaughlin boss Barry earned a big victory in last night's county board vote, polling 57 votes to ex-Louth manager Paddy Carr's 25 and Meath Under-21 supremo Benny Reddy's disappointing haul of 7.

Barry, a former player during his predecessor Sean Boylan's incredible 23 years in charge of the Royals, said: "I am delighted to be selected as successor to Sean Boylan as team manager.

"I put my neck on the line over the last couple of years and people knew my intention to go forward again. I won't be getting carried away or anything like that though because we all know the current state of Meath football at the moment.

"I am delighted to have won and will do my very best to bring Meath in contention again for winning Leinster Championships and All-Ireland Championships and whatever other trophies are to be won on any day."

While Barry's popularity with Meath's players is undoubted, his relationship with the county board is seen as fraught. It was alleged, in the run-up to last night's vote, that current board chairman Fintan Ginnity had urged clubs not to vote on Barry's behalf.

Barry also released a statement yesterday, criticising the board's handling of the nomination process. It read: "On Monday, 29th August 2005, I attended a football discussion with four Meath county committee members in Pairc Tailteann, Navan, to discuss my nomination fo the vacant Meath senior football team manager's position.

"As far as I am concerned this discussion was only to ratify my nomination.

"At no stage was I informed that this was an interview and that this committee would be nominating one candidate to the full county committee and the clubs within the county.

"This procedure did not happen in the previous years that I have contested this position."

Barry had been defeated in votes over the past three seasons by Dunboyne herbalist Boylan.