Awards: Best Meath star in a club management role
December 21, 2011
Clonard manager Kevin Foley
Most intercounty players end up in club management at some stage. We take a look at some of those former players as manager and pick out who we see as the contenders for the award.
In the mix are Tommy Dowd, Donal Smith, Gerry McEntee, Jody Devine, Vinny Ryan, Barry Callaghan, Andy McEntee and Kevin Foley.
Tommy Dowd captained Meath to All-Ireland success in 1996 and has won every honour in that the intercounty scene has to offer. Since taking over from Shane McEntee, Moynalty have qualified for a Junior B final in 2010 and reached the quarter finals this year. Tommy also lined out for the "Tidy Village" club.
Former Meath keeper Donal Smith took over the reins of St Ultans this year. The 2008 IFC winners held on to their Intermediate status this year despite playing without a vast number of regulars.
Meath hero of the 80's Gerry McEntee enjoyed great success with Dublin outfit St Brigid's. With the former Meath midfielder in charge, Brigid's stormed to the Dublin SFC title and just lost out to Garrycastle of Westmeath in the provincial decider.
Former Ballinlough team mates Jody Devine and Vinny Ryan crossed swords in the IFC semi final at Pairc Tailteann. On the day Devine's Gaeil Colmcille came out winners. Gaeil Colmcille lost out to Moynalvey in the decider but enjoyed league success. Ryan. who won All Ireland's at minor and U21 level would have been happy with the "Lough's " progress this year.
Barry Callaghan enjoyed great success with Meath. A winner of an All Ireland medal in 2001 when Meath defeated Cork, Callaghan guided his own club Dunderry to and IFC semi final this year.
Under Andy McEntee, Donaghmore Ashbourne have progressed from the Intermediate ranks to become one of the main forces in Meath senior football circles. Most pundits had Donaghmore tipped to win the senior this year but the Dublin border outfit were defeated by Dunshaughlin in the semi-final.
Who will ever forget the summer of 1991 and the four game Meath-Dublin saga? The crucial score was Kevin Foley's goal when all seemed lost in the fourth match. These days Foley has immersed himself into the Clonard club. Up until this year Kevin had been in charge of the club's underage teams and enjoyed great success with them.
Foley was handed the junior job this year and the results were immediate. Clonard went through their championship campaign unbeaten and defeated Ratoath in the decider.
Our award goes to Kevin Foley
Tomorrow we pick our Best Junior Championship Club Player
Our previous award winnersAwards: Minor Footballer of the YearAwards: Best comeback in a championship matchAwards: Best togged out team at adult levelAwards: Best display in a ladies football finalAwards: Most medals won
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