Meath are the latest county seeking a new man at the helm after Colm O'Rourke confirmed his exit Sunday night after opting not to seek a 3rd year in charge of the Royals.
The Royals won a Tailteann Cup in 2023 while also staying in Division Two both seasons under the Skryne man but there were rumblings of unhappiness among Meath supporters at the lack of progression over the last 12 months following their success last season.
A review into O'Rourke's performance as manager had been ongoing over the last couple of weeks leading to speculation about his future.
His two selectors Stephen Bray and Barry Callaghan were not continuing in their roles meaning the confirmation of the Meath legend's backroom team would not be ready to be confirmed for Tuesday nights county committee meeting.
Meath county board chairman Jason Plunkett thanked O'Rourke for his time in charge in a statement on Monday morning.
Everyone in Meath GAA express their heartfelt thanks to Colm and his management team for their hard work over the past two years.
During that time, there has been a major change over in the panel with a large number of players getting their first taste of senior inter-county football.
This group will, undoubtedly, form the basis of Meath teams for many years. Colm and his team managed this transition and along the way managed to win the Tailteann Cup in 2023.
The players will have benefitted enormously by learning from Meath legends like Colm and his selectors: Stephen Bray, Barry Callaghan and Trevor Giles; as well as from the vastly experienced, Shane Supple.
SEE ALSO: Ex-Kerry Underage Star Makes Debut For Kilmacud Crokes After Recent Transfer
Now the search for a new manager gets underway. We take a look at four possible replacements for Colm O'Rourke ahead of the 2025 season.
Cathal Ó Bric
29 April 2024; Seímí Byrne of Meath celebrates with his manager Cathal Ó Bric after their side's victory in the EirGrid Leinster GAA Football U20 Championship Final match between Meath and Louth at Parnell Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Rightfully so, 2021 Meath All-Ireland MFC winning manager Cathal Ó Bric is a leading candidate having led the county's under-20 side to an All-Ireland semi-final this year.
The potential for the Navan O'Mahonys clubman to bring players through from the underage set-up has to be an attraction for those appointing the new man at the helm.
The possibility of having unfinished business in the underage set-up you feel may be the only stumbling block in Ó Bric's appointment.
Bernard Flynn
22 October 2023; Bernard Flynn of Kilmacud Crokes before the Dublin County Senior Club Football Championship Final between Kilmacud Crokes and Ballyboden St Endas at Parnell Park in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
The Meath legend had been quoted saying O'Rourke's appointment in 2022 was "Disappointing" while also noting that he had actually applied for the job on three previous occasions and was turned down.
Flynn was announced as the county's under-20 manager in 2021, unfortunately his reign was short lived as he stepped down six months after his appointment due to issues with players being released for championship.
The Colmcilles man may still feel he can test himself at the top level and now could be the perfect opportunity to do so.
Micheál McDermott
23 October 2016; Ramor Utd manager Micheal McDermott during the Cavan County Senior Club Football Championship Final Replay match between Castlerahan and Ramor Utd at Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Former Clare football manager Micheál McDermott is another man that is very much in the picture to replace O'Rourke. The Cavan native is currently managing Celbridge in Kildare but has previously manged in the county with Wolfe Tones as recently as 2022, steering them to senior championship glory in 2021.
Well-travelled Mcdermott would no doubt be a positive addition to the set-up as his knowledge and expertise would surely be welcomed in the Royals camp.
Robbie Brennan
7 January 2024; Kilmacud Crokes manager Robbie Brennan arrives before the AIB GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Club Championship semi-final match between Kilmacud Crokes of Dublin, and Glen of Derry, at Páirc Esler in Newry, Down. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
All-Ireland SFC club winning boss with Kilmacud Crokes, Robbie Brennan is another potential candidate. Brennan, a native of Kilmacud who lives in Dunboyne, played for and managed the local club St Peter's.
The current Crokes manager has built a formidable team in the capital and also has experience of winning top honours as he currently aims for his 4th Dublin SFC title in a row as well as lifting the club All-Ireland in 2022.
