Meath must find new sponsors

One of the longest and most fruitful relationships in Gaelic football, that of the Kepak Group and Meath, ended yesterday when the food company severed a connection that had stretched back to the mid-1980s.

The sponsorship became official and visible in 1991 when Congress passed a motion allowing inter-county teams put sponsors' names on their jerseys.

The parting is a direct result of Seán Boylan's decision not to put his name forward for another term as manager - it was his friendship with the founder of the company, the late Noel Keating, that led to the deal.

"The recent appointment of a new Meath manager affords all parties an opportunity to start a new chapter in the county's quest for more football honours," read a company statement.

"Kepak Group is of the view that it is opportune to 'stand aside' now and allow the county board and the new management the space to mould fresh new relationships in the best interests of Meath football."

The county board has a finance committee in place to find a new front-line sponsor before next season.

The new manager, Eamon Barry, meanwhile, will not name his new back-room team until after the Meath championship.

"I have just been going around the county watching matches and will have them (selectors) ratified by the county board in the coming weeks," he said.

Barry was the only significant challenge to Boylan in the previous two years, mainly because no one who played under Boylan was willing to contest his position.

Boylan's decision to withdraw from the race after the nominations were complete this year ensured potential candidates like Liam Hayes, Colm Coyle and Gerry McEntee did not have their names put forward.