Colm O'Rourke to depart Meath hot seat after two seasons

Colm O'Rourke has reportedly stepped down as Meath senior football manager after two years in charge.

O'Rourke told the Irish Independent that he was not in a position to announce replacements for outgoing selectors Barry Callaghan and Stephen Bray in time for a deadline set by the Meath County Board of Monday, as his preferred selectors were still involved with clubs.

The County Board had been undertaking a planned review of the former Sunday Game analyst's tenure since Meath's season ended in June but he had been expected to stay on if new selectors were put forward.

O'Rourke, a Meath great from his playing days, was initially appointed on a three-year term in September 2022, replacing Andy McEntee.

After a bright start to the 2023 season, their form deteriorated over the course of the league, and they wound up only narrowly avoiding relegation. Defeat to Offaly in the Leinster championship saw them demoted to the Tailteann Cup, regarded as a historic low point for the Meath footballers at the time.

However, they rallied over the remainder of the summer, making their way through the Tailteann campaign and ultimately beating Down in the Croke Park decider.

While the county retained its Division 2 status in 2024, the championship campaign was a let-down, with three losses from three in the All-Ireland SFC group phase, the nadir being a 10-point defeat to neighbours Louth in the opening game.