LEGENDARY former Meath manager Seán Boylan admits the call to get involved with the Down U20s came “completely out of the blue” after he was named as part of Conor Laverty’s new-look management team.
Alongside ex-Down star Marty Clarke and Declan Morgan, four-time All-Ireland winner Boylan will work with Laverty as they bid to mould an exciting generation of Mourne County talent, having taken over from Conor Deegan.
Highly-rated coach Laverty - who still spearheads the attack of reigning county kingpins Kilcoo - has got to know the Dunboyne herbalist through the years, mostly through his work as GAA development officer at Trinity College in Dublin.
And when pulling together a backroom team, the 35-year-old was keen to tap into the wisdom of a man who has seen it all during a decorated career.
“The truth is we’re friends for years,” said Boylan, whose role will be in an advisory capacity.
“Our paths would’ve crossed through football and a little bit through people coming up here as well. Conor also is involved with Trinity, with whom I would’ve had a connection over the years.
“Conor is extraordinarily capable [as a coach]. He’s incredible. One time one of my own family had come back from Australia, he was at a crossroads, and Conor was a great help to him as well. I love people like that.
“Conor has connections down in Achill, you see. My son Ciaran plays football in Achill, even though he’s doing a doctorate in Trinity, and people he knows down there would have great connections with the Lavertys through the sheep and sheepdogs.
“But this thing was totally out of the blue. I’ve talked to Conor over the phone, we haven’t been able to sit down yet, but we will and we’ll go through it. He knows what I think of Marty as well so if I can be any help at all, in whatever small way that might be, then I’m happy to be part of that.
“These boys are saying to me they’re learning their trade - they’re far more capable of doing it than I ever was when I started out to be quite honest with you.”
Former International Rules boss Boylan – who brought Sam Maguire back to the Royal County in 1987, ’88, ’96 and ’99 – led Meath into battle against Down many times during his 23 years in charge, most memorably in the 1991 All-Ireland final defeat to Pete McGrath’s men.
It is an unusual quirk of fate therefore that, all these years later, he should be involved in helping his former rivals. For Boylan, though, football has always been about forging relationships and embracing new challenges.
And, despite turning 77 last weekend, the Dunboyne man insists he still gets a kick from working with young people.
“Absolutely I do.
“Once I pulled out, I pulled out but I never lost my interest in it. Sometimes people can get soured by it but I didn’t feel like that. Life’s too short.
“A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to be involved with our own club at U21 and senior under John Watters, then with Meath U21 hurlers with Vinny Guy. I love the craic with the young lads, even if my legs might not allow me to do what I would’ve done before.
“I still get a buzz out of being involved. I love to see lads or girls achieving excellence in their sport. I love that, always did.”
