Meath are preparing for an All-Ireland final against Dublin, Shane McCormack’s first as a player or a manager
Meath’s All-Ireland ladies football final press evening is just drawing to a close when manager Shane McCormack is reminded of 2010.
He winces. He’d avoided the question all evening. And there is a pang of regret about drawing the former Kildare goalkeeper back to that day, given how difficult it was on him.
But it was a huge moment in his own GAA journey.
Last Tuesday was actually the 15th anniversary of Kildare’s All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Down, when McCormack was in goals.
Kieran McGeeney and the Lilywhites got on a roll that summer and fancied going all the way to a final, at least, but lost to Down by two points.
Benny Coulter’s infamous goal separated the sides in the end. A long point attempt from just inside the 45 by Marty Clarke dropped short, allowing Coulter to beat McCormack in the air and fist to the net.
But Coulter was already waiting in the small square and the goal should have been ruled out. Pat McEneaney conferred with his umpires before allowing it to stand.
“I think I’m after doing 10 interviews, I was dreading that question,” smiled McCormack wryly. “I think you’re the first to bring it up, so thanks for that! I definitely remember it. It kind of haunts me to this day. Look, it was very early into the game as well and we had the chance at the end too. What can you do? It’s just great to be here now, preparing for a final.
“Someone asked me in another interview, they said, ‘You played at a high level in an All-Ireland semi-final’. I did, but I never got to a final as a player or a coach so it’s just great. I’m thrilled for the girls, to be honest with you.”
Another interview with McCormack was published by the Kildare Nationalist earlier this week in which he opened up in alarming detail on the 2010 episode.
“I didn’t take it well, to be honest with you,” he said of the incident in the local paper. “It just kind of destroyed me. From then on, it was just an horrific time for me and my family because of the abuse.
“I remember my Da ringing me as there were two letters sent to my house from two disgruntled fans saying not nice things and it went on for years and it turned me off.”
The Allenwood clubman, nicknamed ‘Shorty’, has proved a big hit in coaching and more recently management. He was involved with a number of clubs and Maynooth University before taking on a job with Wexford LGFA and then getting involved with the Armagh senior ladies team, firstly as a selector and latterly as manager. His body of work there convinced Meath, All-Ireland winners in 2021 and 2022, to toss him the reins ahead of the 2024 season.
This season has been a breakthrough one with All-Ireland holders Kerry taken out at the semi-final stage.
McCormack, inevitably, has been influenced by Kieran McGeeney, his manager back in the Kildare days.
“He was a fantastic man to be involved with,” said McCormack. “The proof is in the pudding in terms of his management ability, with what he’s done with Armagh.
“One thing that stood out to me with Kieran was the one-on-one work he’d do. I kind of said at the start, when I came in, that it was an important part of it for me.
“Obviously there are training sessions going on and it’s a busy environment but it’s very important to have a chat with a girl, even if it’s for 60 seconds or two minutes, giving feedback because at the end of the day, they’re putting in a lot of work and deserve that.
“They’re sacrificing three, four nights a week, and it’s something that stood out to me as being important.
“If Kieran called you over for even 30 or 60 seconds, you were nearly on cloud nine because you knew you were valued. And every one of these Meath girls is valued by myself and the management. They’re just fantastic.”
McCormack has relied on a tight crew of performers, starting the same 14 players in all seven championship games. Kerrie Cole, the goal scorer against holders Kerry in the semi-final, is the 15th player who has started their last six games.
But one change is expected for Sunday’s final with defender Katie Newe suffering a knee injury in the Kerry game. Two-time All-Ireland winning captain Shauna Ennis, fit again after a cruciate injury, is a likely replacement.
