No, not the racehorse, the other lad. You have to admire entities, sporting or otherwise, with their ambitions pointed in the right direction and the b***s to go after them.
On that score, Ratoath are never found wanting. Since first making their breakthrough on the Meath club football scene in the early 2000s, they have had Brian Farrell, Davy Byrne, David Brady, Kevin Reilly and, latterly, Lar Norton in their dugout.
While I will admit to having no knowledge of the latter, most if not all of the others brought CVs that were already fairly glossy to Sean Eiffe Park and garnished them still further.
Now however, in terms of profile at least, the blue and gold can justifably claim to have hit the jackpot with confirmation last night (Wednesday) that that most colourful of Kerrymen, Paul Galvin, will guide their footballing fortunes for the season ahead.
Never far from the headlines on or off the field, it had been expected the teacher turned businessman would remain with Kilmacud Crokes having linked up with now Meath boss Robbie Brennan there last back end.
Indeed, it would not have surprised (or disappointed) me if the former half forward had been part of Robbie’s entourage in his new role, but, instead, he went left-of-field with Joe McMahon and Martin Corry to accompany Conor Gillespie.
Who knows, Galvin, who managed the Wexford footballers during the 2020 season, may be trying to expand his managerial catalogue with a view to a return to the inter county circuit at some stage.
To that end, he certainly won’t lack for quality footballers. With the three time Keegan Cup winners boasting a talent list that would stretch from Fairyhouse to his native Finuge, or even to Lixnaw where he is, or at least was, a gifted hurler.
The latter point becomes important when it’s taken into account that Mick Cole will attempt to engineer a retention of the Jubilee Cup (Meath SHC). Not a bad in-tray to start the year with!
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