Meath underage football teams will have a new sponsor on their jerseys from next year while Barry Horgan has been appointed to the new position of General Manager for Meath football from U13 to U20.

Following the recent Provincial successes of their minor football teams, and the outright All-Ireland success in 2021 at the same age grade, Meath GAA has announced some key football personnel positions, allied to a new football development structure, and a new sponsor to support their underage teams and players.

“2021 has been a unique year for underage football in the county, successive Leinster Championships, and the return of the Tom Markam Cup for the first time since 1992, has given Meath supporters renewed hope for the future,” explained Meath Operations Manager Seamus Kenny.

“The records show that Meath has won three out of the last four provincial minor titles, and four out of the last five when we incorporate the inaugural U17 title in 2016.”

To further harness this talent, Meath have confirmed the appointment of Barry Horgan as the new General Manager for Meath football from U13 to U20.

Barry will be bringing with him a wealth of knowledge, and experience gained from his time working in professional sports in Australia, and in various roles within the GAA, to further develop the high- performance pathways of the county’s footballers and coaches. Barry will work with, and support, the current Coaching & Games staff.

The appointment is one part of an overall strategy to improve the existing football structures.

“Ultimately the success of our Academy pathway is the pipeline of talent that is delivered through to our senior football team. The recent underage wins, and the implementation of our strategy, will aid and support this process. Barry Horgan’s appointment is integral to achieving this,“ said Meath GAA Chairman John Kavanagh.

Consistency helps build momentum, and as such, Meath have announced that John McCarthy (2020 Minor Manager) has been appointed as Manager of the U20 squad for the 2022 & 2023 seasons. Seán Kelly and Colm Coyle are additions to the management team, and that Cathal Ó Bric will take over the post Minor squad for a two-year period, 2022 – 2023.

Key to the implementation of this strategy is the support Meath are receiving from Owen and Alice Brennan in Devenish Nutrition and new sponsors Noel and Valerie Moran of Bective Stud.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to support the development of Meath football over the coming years. It is a great honor and privilege for myself and Valerie to have been asked to support this new structure that will hopefully benefit many Meath underage footballers," said Noel Moran of Bective Stud.

The Bective Stud logo will appear on the front of Meath football jerseys at U14 to U20 level and will also appear on the senior football jersey.

“Devenish Nutrition are extremely pleased to have supported the efforts of so many people in Meath to deliver success in football. This has centered on our players, their families and clubs, our management teams and their families and the thousands of volunteers who give so much of their time and effort.

Meath County Committee and all of the above are now looking to take this to the next level with the support of the Meath Football Development Committee,” said Owen Brennan of Devenish Nutrition.

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