Meath legend and RTÉ pundit Colm O'Rourke appears to have wholeheartedly ruled himself out of contention to become the next Meath manager, after the position was made available following the recent resignation of Andy McEntee.
O'Rourke was asked about the prospect of stepping into McEntee's shoes by Joanne Cantwell on The Sunday Game this afternoon, but he outlined the reasons why he would not be putting himself forward.
Colm O'Rourke won't go for vacant Meath Job
When asked about the prospect of going for the role, O'Rourke said he would not do so as he had been turned down by the county on the three previous occasions. He said he is content in his current role with club side Simonstown Gaels, while the abuse directed at the recently departed McEntee is also a consideration.
Colm O'Rourke rules himself out of the running to take over at Meath and explains his reasons why.
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The job is there, but I'm involved in club management. I'm very happy in club management and I have been for quite a while.
This sort of speculation isn't something new, like I did actually go for the Meath job on three occasions in the past and even somebody as stupid as I am would get the hint that when you're told no on three occasions, then that should put it to bed.
And my beautiful wife Patricia has a very negative view on managing the county team, and with good reason, when you see the social media abuse that has taken place since Andy McEntee has left.
Is this the sort of trend that we want to go with on Gaelic football where people put in enormous amounts of time - and not getting 15 million a year like Pep Guardiola - only to be subjected to that sort of thing from un-named sort of people?
Family comes first as always, and O'Rourke's reasons are very understandable.
Much has been made about the shocking abuse which McEntee revealed he had to endure during his tenure, and such a situation would deter many from taking on the role.
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