Meath players prepared to back Banty

The Meath senior football panel are prepared to support their under-fire manager Seamus McEnaney as he bids to hold onto his job.

The Meath senior football panel are prepared to support their under-fire manager Seamus 'Banty' McEnaney as he bids to hold onto his job.

Monaghan native McEnaney is facing the axe after Meath suffered relegation from Allianz Football League Division 2.

Under the guidance of 'Banty', the Royals have lost 12 of their 18 league or championship games - including four successive defeats last month.

A crucial Meath County Board meeting is due to take place tomorrow night at which it will be recommended to club delegates that McEnaney's term as manager is terminated.

Meath's County Board Executive have put out a statement proposing that legendary ex-boss Sean Boylan returns to the Royal hot seat.

For their part, it seems that the Meath players want McEnaney to remain in charge. They met as a collective last night in Simonstown and were reportedly set to release a statement giving him their public support.

It now seems that they do not want to use the media as an outlet to express their views on the issue, but sources close to the panel suggest they will let the County Board know of their backing of Banty.

It is understood that McEnaney does not want to resign from the role. He has been a spectator at recent Meath SFC games, continuing to monitor the form of his players.

Whatever happens tomorrow night, the Meath GAA community will want a quick resolution with the Royals' Leinster Championship opener against Wicklow taking place on May 27.