Meath coaches depart panel ahead of championship

Brothers Eamon and Colm Brady will not be involved with the Meath set-up this summer having withdrawn their services as joint-coaches ahead of the team's championship campaign.

The duo will be replaced by former Donegal coach Eugene Eivers and Irish long jump record holder Ciarán McDonagh, who has occupied a role in the set-up since the beginning of the season.

Both Eivers, who was Jim McGuinness’ coach for the Dublin-based Donegal players last summer, and McDonagh are Meath natives.

The Brady brothers have been involved with manager Mick O’Dowd’s set-up since October 2012, with former Meath player Colm having also been involved with previous management teams.

Meath GAA say that the pair had notified the management team ahead of the season of their desire to step away and focus on their family ran business. O’Dowd though convinced them to stay on until the end of the league.

The timing is far from ideal nonetheless, Meath play Wicklow in the Leinster championship quarter final on June 14th.

The major injury doubts for Meath are Kevin Reilly and Conor Gillespie but hopes are high that both will have recovered in time for that provincial opener.

Meanwhile Kildare midfielder Daryl Flynn will be in contention for a place in the team to face Laois on June 6th. Flynn has been a long term injury absentee but will be badly needed against a Laois team which contains Brendan Quigley and John O'Loughlin within that crucial middle third.

Team manager Jason Ryan, who is already planning without cruciate-ligament victim Keith Cribbin and US bound Daniel Flynn, said the midfielder is "progressing really well for his club after his surgery, and if he keeps going well he'll be in contention to take part in the championship."