‘It still haunts me’: Meath boss Shane McCormack excited for Croke Park return

CROKE PARK RETURN: Meath manager Shane McCormack is ready for the return to Croke Park. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon

Meath manager Shane McCormack will return to the scene of the crime on Sunday, Croke Park.

Crime, admittedly, may be overstating it a little but he was left heartbroken after the 2010 All-Ireland semi-final when, playing in goals for Kildare, he and the Lilies were suckered by a Benny Coulter goal which should have been ruled out.

Even Coulter himself acknowledged afterwards that he was in the small square before Marty Clarke's long delivery dropped in, allowing Coulter to get up ahead of McCormack and punch to the net.

Down won that game by two points in the end. McCormack, who has since forged a successful career in coaching and management, is conducting his very last interview at the Meath press evening for this weekend's final when 2010 is brought up.

"I think I'm after doing 10 interviews, I was dreading that question," smiled McCormack. "I think you're the first to bring it up, so thanks for that. I definitely remember it. It kind of haunts me to this day. Look, it was very early into the game as well and we had the chance at the end too. What can you do? It's just great to be here now, preparing for a final.

"Someone asked me in another interview, they said, 'You played at a high level in an All-Ireland semi-final'. I did, but I never got to a final as a player or a coach so it's just great. I'm thrilled for the girls, to be honest with you."

McCormack took over Meath ahead of the 2024 season. The Royals had won the All-Ireland in 2021 and 2022 but when Eamonn Murray and his management team departed, 2023 was a tough year. Davy Nelson worked the sideline for a few months before leaving. Jenny Rispin closed out the season in charge and Meath exited the All-Ireland at the quarter-final stage, losing to Kerry.

McCormack took over, impressing Meath officials with the work he'd previously done in Armagh, though Kerry knocked them out at the quarter-final stage again last year.

It has been a terrific second season and McCormack is happy to acknowledge that he has taken managerial inspiration from his former Kildare boss, Kieran McGeeney.

"He was a fantastic man to be involved with," said McCormack. "The proof is in the pudding in terms of his management ability, with what he's done with Armagh.

"One thing that stood out to me with Kieran was the one-on-one work he'd do. I kind of said at the start, when I came in, that it was an important part of it for me.

"Obviously there are training sessions going on and it's a busy environment but it's very important to have a chat with a girl, even if it's for 60 seconds or two minutes, giving feedback because at the end of the day, they're putting in a lot of work and deserve that.

"They're sacrificing three, four nights a week, and it's something that stood out to me as being important.

"If Kieran called you over for even 30 or 60 seconds, you were nearly on cloud nine because you knew you were valued. And every one of these Meath girls is valued by myself and the management. They're just fantastic."

McCormack has relied on a tight crew of performers, starting the same 14 players in all seven championship games. Kerrie Cole, the goalscorer against holders Kerry in the semi-final, is the 15th player who has started their last six games.

But one change is expected for Sunday's final with defender Katie Newe suffering a knee injury in the Kerry game. Two-time All-Ireland winning captain Shauna Ennis, fit again after a cruciate injury, is a likely replacement.