O'Rourke rules himself out of vacant Meath manager job

Meath legend Colm O'Rourke has categorically ruled himself out of the running for the vacant manager's job with the Royal County following Andy McEntee's departure.

McEntee announced that he would not be seeking a third term in charge of the county's senior footballers following Meath's championship exit at the hands of Clare last weekend.

McEntee spent six years in the hotseat, gaining promotion from Division 2 of the league in 2019.

But they were relegated from Division 1 the following season without winning a single game while success in the Leinster Championship also proved elusive.

O'Rourke, speaking on Sunday's RTÉ Sport broadcast before live coverage of the qualifier double-header involving Cork v Limerick and Armagh v Donegal, said: "I'm involved in club management, I'm very happy in club management and I have been for quite a while.

Colm O'Rourke rules himself out of the running to take over at Meath and explains his reasons why. Cork v Limerick coming up live now on #sundaygame on @Rte2 and @rteplayer. pic.twitter.com/h0k6M0hUCQ

"I did actually go for the Meath job on three occasions in the past and even somebody as stupid as I am would get the hint that when you're told 'No' on three occasions, I think that should put it to bed.

McEntee was the subject of some vicious online abuse following his departure, with his son and county layer Shane forced to jump to this defence at one point.

O'Rourke suggested this was as good a reason as any to steer clear of the poisoned chalice that is inter-county management.

"My beautiful wife Patricia has a very negative view toward managing the county team and with good reason when you see the upshot of Andy McEntee going and the social media abuse than has taken place," O'Rourke said.