O'Rourke feels sorry for 'warrior' Ryan as Meath victory pushes Kildare closer to relegation

Meath manager Colm O'Rourke has called on the Kildare GAA community to rally around their management team as the pressure continues to build for Glenn Ryan, Anthony Rainbow and Johnny Doyle.

And it was O'Rourke's Royals who pushed the Lilywhites closer to relegation from Division 2 this afternoon after a three-point win in the All-Leinster clash at Navan.

Kildare were ahead inside the last 10 minutes but Meath managed the last four scores to win on a 0-12 to 0-09 scoreline, a defeat that leaves Ryan's side without any points after four games.

Victory for the Royals, who have already secured Sam Maguire status for 2024 as Tailteann Cup champions, leaves them just two points off joint leaders Donegal and Armagh.

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Speaking on RTÉ's Sunday Sport after the game O'Rourke, who embraced Ryan at the end of the game, was quick to defend the current Kildare management team.

"I said I felt sorry for him," he said of their conversation on the sideline.

"I had Glenn with an international rules team I was in charge of in 1999 and 2000, and he was just a wonderful player for Kildare, a wonderful representative of our country.

"I know Glenn very well. I find him an outstanding young man - and he's still young - and I'm sorry [how] management has gone for him and Anthony Rainbow and Johnny Doyle.

"They're the best of men. It's a time for people in Kildare, the county board and the players particularly to show a bit of loyalty to some of their greatest warriors."

On his own side O'Rourke was happy