Meath ladies were left reeling on Sunday afternoon as team manager Diane O’Hora announced that she was stepping down.
The Royals had just suffered a Leinster semi-final defeat at the hands of Westmeath in Cusack Park, Mullingar when the former Mayo ladies star made the announcement.
In a letter to the county board, O’Hora slammed the situation in Meath and stated that the players were being disrespected.
“It is with great disappointment that I must write this letter, after the 25 years of inter county experience as a player, coach and manager, to resign my position as Meath Ladies Senior Manager,” she began.
Diane in action for Mayo.
“It saddens me that this management team can no longer put up with the treatment of our own selves in what we are trying to achieve and most especially the disrespectful treatment of players.
“Meath, for 15 years, has not had continuous management or been successful for those same 15 years. In situations like this, something must change. As we all know, the talent is there and I felt I was the right person to lead the way for what would be a changed model of a modern and professional approach to build on the great success of under age.”
— MeathLadiesFootball (@meathladiesMLGF) June 28, 2015
“Having asked the county board for their three to five year strategic plan, I’m still shocked to have not received it. Where, without leadership is the county going?” Diane, who coached Down to an All-Ireland intermediate win last year, continued.
“Not being permitted to meet with the clubs in order to share ideas and find a common ground to help encourage players to play county, numbers have been a huge issue all year. Again we got no help here from the chairperson and from the board although requests were made on numerous occasions.
“In an age where player welfare is an absolute priority, our preparations for championship were nowhere near the professional standard I have been privileged to have experienced in Mayo, Roscommon, Longford and Down.”
Diane in action against Cork.
“This was all due to the lack of support for requests made by senior management. I have never in 25 years been in a county that permits clubs to play challenge matches the week of a senior county championship game.
“I have also never in all of my years seen players been asked to go from a county championship game to a club championship game. The governing body of this county should be protecting players and not letting this happen!
“To add to this disrespect one club that in fact encourages their players to come out and represent their county are almost punished for ‘same’ by giving them only one day in between Senior County Championship and Senior Club Championship games.
“How much more an advantage does that really give the opposition in terms of rest and preparation?
“I thank all of those clubs that have encouraged their players to come and play senior county football and I now clearly see some reasons why other clubs are not being represented. Why would they be with a day’s rest being all that’s catered for from Inter County Senior Championship and County Club Championship?”
The news has been met with shock on Facebook.
“I wish to take this opportunity to thank the players most of all for the efforts and sacrifices they have made and I wish them all the very best of luck in the future on and off the field.
“I believe they will all understand this decision and I will take special interest in them all in the hope that they make their dreams come true and represent their county in Croke Park one day. I believe it will happen.
“I wish to also thank the rest of my Management team of Laura Harrison, Phillip Dowdall, Anne Dungan & Christina Byrne our Physio,” the letter concluded.
