Huge news breaking out of Meath this evening as Joe McMahon and Martin Corey have left their roles as selectors/coach.
Monaghan man Corey and Tyrone's McMahon were announced as coaches when Robbie Brennan was named as the new Meath manager to replace Colm O'Rourke last September.
Corey has coached both Cavan and Monaghan to the All-Ireland SFC semi-finals. McMahon coached Tyrone to Ulster and All-Ireland SFC titles in 2021.
When the Meath County Board announced Brennan's appointment this past Septemeber, McMahon and Corey were the only selectors listed in the announcement.
Meath GAA have released the following statement:
Following the conclusion of the Allianz Football Football League, Joe McMahon and Martin Corey have stepped down from their roles as Selectors/Coaches with the Meath Senior Football Team.
Robbie Brennan and the Meath Co. Management Committee thank both Joe and Martin for their efforts since their appointment and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.
The Senior Football panel and management continue their preparations for the opening round of the Leinster SFC against Carlow.
There is no further comment to make at this time.
Meath could have gained promotion to Division 1 if they had managed to beat Louth in their final group game last weekend.
They open their Leinster championship campaign in eight days against Carlow. The news means the battle of the departures has now shifted away from Carlow, whose manager Shane Curran stepped down during the week due to "player issues" (which the players themselves have responded to with a statement of their own.)
Meath legend Bernard Flynn has labelled the situation as an 'absolute disaster for Meath football' on a post on X after the news broke of the departures.
Speaking to the Meath Chronicle after the Louth game, Brennan was calling for fans to come out in force for their opening game
It's not all doom and gloom. When we took over at the start of the year, some people had us as favourites to be relegated, but we avoided that," said Brennan.
"However, when we were that close to getting to Division 1 it is disappointing. I don't buy into everybody saying next year will be harder. It will be a brilliant breeding ground to be in.
"It's not a bad place to be playing football next year either, so we'll look forward to that when it does come again, but all eyes on Carlow now.
One of the real big disappointments for the lads and us is that we have had big crowds out to support us for the games, and we are gutted that we were not able to deliver for the fans.
"Hopefully we'll get them (the supporters) into Navan for a big game against Carlow. Our minds will switch to Carlow now and it is important we hit our straps for that match”
Will the departures derail Meath’s championship campaign or will they be able to keep on track?
