Colm O’Rourke has resigned as the manager of Meath football, following his advisory to the county that he won’t be pursuing reappointment at the upcoming county board meeting on Tuesday. O’Rourke, an erstwhile All-Ireland victor and TV analyst, had started his role in 2022 for a three-year term, subject to a review after two years. Although this review had been underway, a recent management committee congregation that was predicted to suggest a recommendation to the county board only announced further proceedings for the review.
Amidst this situation, two select persons, Stephen Bray and Barry Callaghan, will not continue their roles, generating anticipation about the future members of Meath’s backroom team in 2025. This predicament is unlikely to be settled before Tuesday’s board meeting.
On the preceding Monday, Meath GAA made public a statement stating that O’Rourke won’t be seeking a second term as the senior football manager. They also expressed their profound gratitude to him and his team for their dedicated contribution for the last two years. This period saw significant changes in the panel with numerous players gaining their introductory exposure to high-level county football; these players are expected to be the underpinning of future Meath teams.
O’Rourke and his team facilitated this shift and had also emerged victorious in the Tailteann Cup in 2023. The invaluable lessons imparted by Meath stalwarts like Colm, his selectors: Bray, Callaghan and Trevor Giles; and the exceptionally experienced Shane Supple have significantly benefitted the players.
Despite winning the Tailteann Cup in 2023 marking a high point in O’Rourke’s two-year tenure, the county maintained their Division Two standing in the AFL throughout both seasons. Though this year’s championship was a setback marked by a severe defeat by Dublin in the Leinster championship and failure to secure a single point in the All-Ireland group stages.