Republic Of Ireland manager Heimir Halgrimsson has learned very quickly into his reign that changing ones mind – specifically having the ability and/or confidence to do so – is no bad thing. Matt Doherty may not be in the Dani Alvez, Lee Dixon, Trent Alexander-Arnold or even Gary Neville pantheon of right backs in world football. But he sure as hell is too good to be left out of an Ireland squad.
Similarly, at whatever stage in the season Meath’s Gerry McEntee and David Beggy or Diarmuid Connolly of Dublin or Dave Barry from Cork had completed their other commitments they were welcomed back into their respective folds without fear or favour.
As if all the above weren’t example enough that the door should never be shut if a player has the desire and ability to still make a contribution, surely the greatest example of the benefits of having an open door policy manifested itself last week with the sensational second coming of Michael Murphy with Donegal.
So on that score, news that incoming Meath manager Robbie Brennan has coaxed Bryan Menton, Padraic Harnan, Eoin Harkin and at least three other experienced heads back out of ‘retirement’ shouldn’t be that big of a surprise to anybody. However, I would take serious issue with how some of the national publications reported the return of the lads mentioned above.
What was crassly dubbed “Project Youth” under Colm O’Rourke did not “Fail”. Younger players like Sean Brennan, Mick Murphy, Adam O’Neill, Sean Coffey, Sean Ryan, Ruairi Kinsella and Eoghan Frayne were given and took their chances with varying degrees of success. Did or will they all make it? No, but there are more than a couple who already have who had not featured at senior level up to that point. Again, that’s not a criticism of Andy McEntee or his various management ensembles. Different managers like different styles of players.
For instance, nothing will ever change my view that there were at least a handful of players shabbily treated during Sean Boylan’s time but cognisance of how glorious his tenure was means you can’t really complain, can you? It’s different now though. That doesn’t mean, though, that the choices regarding player selections by past or current management teams need to be forensically examined.
That said, while the return of the battle hardened warriors can of course be seen as a good news story, though it need not, nay must not, be at the expense of some of those mentioned above, or others.
By all means get the band back together, but don’t forget the backing vocals. The often unseen talent. The lads who have already made breakthroughs of sorts. When you consider Meath’s current status in the game and align that with what will hopefully be a considerable infusion of fresh talent coming into availability to the senior setup from a few different talented underage teams, it becomes very much a case of resources management.
But, as the old song goes, it aint what ya do, it’s the way that you do it.