Football steering committee addresses delegates
August 25, 2015
Huge demands are being put on intercounty players hence the urgent need for a strength and conditioning coach.
The Football Steering Committee, which contains some household names in the game, made a presentation to the packed gathering of club delegates at the special County Committee meeting in Aras Tailteann on Monday night.
The committee is spearheaded by All-Ireland winners of the eighties, Colm O'Rourke and Gerry McEntee, and four times Sam Maguire Cup winning manager Sean Boylan and is completed by Seamus Kenny and under-18 chairman John Kavanagh.
Kenny set the ball rolling by introducing the rest of the committee and outlining its aims. Much emphasis was placed on the appointment of a full-time strength and conditioning coach who will work with squads from senior down to under-14 levels.
Another interesting move is the confining of members of the county junior squad to players under-23. Apparently Kildare is to submit a motion to congress proposing that the intercounty junior grade be limited to footballers under-23.
"We all have a deep passion for Meath football," remarked O'Rourke who added, "there is not that much wrong with the game in the county and we have a strong base and good clubs to work from."
"We must be ambitious to have Meath competing with the top counties again, "he strongly emphasised.
McEntee stressed the huge demands that are being put on intercounty players these days with some of them training six days a week. Hence the urgent need for a strength and conditioning coach.
Living in Dublin and being involved with the St Brigid's club in Blanchardstown, the former midfield ace touched on the huge numbers playing the game in the capital city.
McEntee reminded his audience of the characteristics which made Meath such a mighty force in football a few years ago, like courage, honesty of endeavour, never give up spirit and physical power.
He added that physicality had been an integral part of Gaelic football down the decades, it is still a very physical game and he encouraged referees in Meath to help that aspect of the play be allowed continue.
"We have no divine right to be at the top, "remarked Sean Boylan, who added that Meath will have to work very hard to get back up there.
Don't just wait for it to happen, let's make it happen," were the parting words from the Dunboyne man.
Kavanagh was impressed by the contributions of the three all-Ireland winners, remarking, "they have a lot of passion for Meath football."
After being asked when the strength and conditioning coach will be appointed, McEntee said that such was an important appointment and should not be rushed into.
