Barry facing battle to stay on

Eamonn Barry looks like facing a big task if he is to hold onto his position as Meath senior football manager.

The Walterstown native succeeded long-time boss Sean Boylan last September and got his reign off to a thrilling start with victory in the O'Byrne Cup.

But a poor National League campaign - the Royals finished second from bottom in Division 1B - and a five-game All-Ireland SFC run which came to nothing has heaped pressure on Barry.

Even in his hey day, Boylan was forced to put his name forward each autumn to confirm his managerial status for another year in a decidedly out-dated system, and Dublin-based Garda Barry will have to do the same in a couple of weeks' time.

The Meath GAA County Executive have confirmed that any nominations for the position of football manager have to be submitted by Monday, August 21 - the same criteria applies for the hurling job currently held by Johnny Murray.

The Executive Committee may also establish a sub-committee to interview any club nominees and their own candidates.

At the end of the month, the Committee will make a recommendation to club delegates regarding acceptable candidates for the football and hurling roles.

Barry, meanwhile, has hit out at suggestions that he did not utilise all of the 'scientific approaches' available to him during the year.

"We have used as many scientific methods towards our training as many other counties," Barry told the Meath Chronicle. "We have worked in conjunction with Dublin City University and the National Training Centre in Limerick.

"The players also had expertise available from Lucozade Sport about hydration and diet, so claims that we didn't utilise all methods available are unfair."