Eamonn O'Brien was finally installed as Meath's new football manager last night, almost three months after the initial closing date for receipt of nominations. The former Walterstown and Meath player had been the frontrunner to succeed Colm Coyle until four weeks ago when attempts to appoint Luke Dempsey failed. But the new three-man selection committee, which was appointed in the wake of the Dempsey debacle, came out in favour of O'Brien who was duly ratified at last night's meeting in Simonstown. The meeting was not without controversy, however, with one delegate stating that the county board had "not covered themselves in glory" during the protracted process and chairman Barney Allen apologised for the delay in appointing the new manager. The length of O'Brien's term was not revealed, although his position will be reviewed at the end of next season. O'Brien was a selector with Sean Boylan for the All-Ireland successes in 1996 and '99, and more recently managed Rathkenny. After lining out at centre forward on the Meath minor team that claimed Leinster honours in 1972, he played at wing forward on the county's National League winning side of 1975 when his brother Mick was manager. O'Brien later starred on the successful Walterstown team of the late 1970s and early 1980s which won two Leinster club titles. Tweet

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