Davy Nelson revels centre stage as new director stellar Meath cast

Standing on the DCU St Clare's sidelines, with his pen and paper in hand, Davy Nelson finally got to experience what it was like to manage a Ladies football team.

The new Meath manager is the archetypical student of sport, he has a thirst for knowledge and self-development that translates perfectly to a place roaming the sidelines.

He hasn’t been fazed by the massive task he took on when he agreed to assume control of a back-to-back TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship winning juggernaut. He is so familiar with pressure that he almost revels in the expectations.

But it is the magnificent feeling of a good plan coming to fruition that he craves, and he hopes next Monday that Meath can make it successive wins in the Lidl NFL with victory at home to an in-form Galway outfit.

It will be justification for the direction he is giving his players and new coaching set-up. Coming from a man who directs plays in big theatres, managing his players on and off the field will be key to a seamless transition after Eamonn Murray.

"It’s a privilege to be asked to take on and manage this Meath team," said Nelson.

"My third time to manage a Meath team and I didn’t know it would be the Ladies if I was to look into a crystal ball a couple of years ago. It’s a great honour for me and my family.

"It’s new territory for me. I am keeping very much an open mind. I have been around the game a long time but that’s all men’s football. So my knowledge of the Ladies game, quite honestly, is limited.

"I have 25 years done in the men’s game as a manager and coach. You just know that you are being given the reins of the last All-Ireland champions and you want to try and keep Meath up there at the top table.

"That would be my role. Just to facilitate the players to