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Andy McEntee
Andy McEntee
Andy McEntee
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Andy McEntee is a Gaelic football manager. He was manager of the Antrim county team between 2022 and 2025, having managed his native Meath between 2016 and 2022.

Key Information

Career

[edit]

McEntee managed Meath to the final of the 2012 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship. He led Ballyboden St Enda's of Dublin to the 2015–16 All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship. He was named as Meath manager in August 2016.

In 2019, he led Meath back to Division 1 of the National Football League for the first time since 2006.[1]

He led Meath to Leinster finals in 2018 and 2019.[2][3]

He left after Meath exited the 2022 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.[4]

Then McEntee was unexpectedly appointed as Antrim county football team senior manager on a three-year term.[5][6]

He saw out that term, and then stepped down.[7]

Personal life

[edit]

His son Shane plays for Meath.[8]

Andy McEntee is the younger brother of former Meath footballer, Gerry.[9] Another brother, Shane, was a Fine Gael politician, who was a Teachta Dála (TD) from 2005 until his death in 2012.[8] His daughter Helen succeeded him.[8] Helen McEntee became her Minister for Justice in June 2020.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Andy McEntee

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Andy McEntee is an Irish Gaelic football manager from County Meath who has led inter-county teams Meath and Antrim, as well as the Dublin club Ballyboden St Enda's to All-Ireland success. McEntee managed his native Meath senior team from 2016 to 2022, a period marked by efforts to revive the county's competitive standing amid internal challenges, including a 2021 county board review that ultimately did not extend his term despite an initial agreement. He then took charge of Antrim from 2022 to 2025, guiding the team to consecutive Tailteann Cup semi-finals in 2023 and 2024 while developing younger players, before stepping down at the end of his three-year term in June 2025. In September 2025, he joined Monaghan's senior management team as part of Gabriel Bannigan's setup ahead of the 2026 season. Throughout his career, McEntee has been outspoken on structural issues in , criticizing the congested fixture calendar's impact on club games, the Football Review Committee's rule implementations as poorly communicated and enforced, and provincial competitions as barriers to the sport's growth. His tenures have included high-profile controversies, such as a 2018 post-match outburst questioning players' sacrifices after a disputed qualifier loss to Tyrone, and ongoing tensions with supporters and administrators over resources and expectations. McEntee's approach emphasizes player development and tactical discipline, informed by his club successes and family involvement in the sport, though personal tragedies like the 2022 death of his brother Shane have influenced his perspective on the demands of management.

Early Life and Playing Career

Background and Education

Andy McEntee hails from Nobber in , , a village with longstanding GAA traditions where the McEntee family has been prominently involved in . The surname is synonymous with the sport in the region, reflecting deep familial ties to local clubs and county structures that shaped his early exposure to the game. His formative years in Nobber immersed him in Meath's GAA systems, where he first engaged with through community and club activities prior to advancing to higher levels. Details of his formal education remain undocumented in public sources, though the rural Meath environment emphasized participation in school and underage GAA programs as pathways into the sport. His brother Gerry, also a former Meath player, exemplified the family's sporting legacy during this period.

Club Playing Achievements

McEntee represented Donaghmore/Ashbourne GFC in Meath club football competitions during his playing days, competing in intermediate and senior fixtures that contributed to the club's development. His role as a player emphasized defensive organization and midfield transitions, skills honed in the physically demanding Meath club environment, which features intense rivalries with teams like O'Mahony's and Seneschalstown. This experience provided practical insights into club-level tactics and player management, informing his shift toward coaching after retiring from playing. No or club titles are attributed to him personally as a player; the club's Meath Intermediate Football Championship success occurred under his management tenure.

Coaching and Management Career

Club Management Successes

McEntee managed Ballyboden St Enda's to the title in 2015, defeating St Vincent's in the final on November 1. This victory marked a breakthrough for the club, which had previously won only two county titles in its history. Building on this success, Ballyboden advanced to claim the on December 6, 2015, overcoming in the final. These provincial triumphs propelled Ballyboden to the 2016 final, where they defeated Mitchels on March 17 to secure the national title. McEntee's leadership elevated the team's ambitions, instilling a belief that a club of Ballyboden's resources could contend for honors rather than settling for local achievements. He emphasized expanding horizons, reportedly stating early in his tenure that the club should aim for national success. Key to these results were McEntee's innovations in preparation, including the integration of GPS tracking, video analysis, sparring sessions led by Billy Walsh, and athletics-focused strength training under John Coughlan, which raised training standards and physical conditioning. He also enhanced player development by incorporating dual-code hurlers into the football setup and arranging for Donegal goalkeeper Paul Durcan to train with the team twice weekly, providing elite goalkeeping expertise and boosting confidence across the squad. These measures fostered leadership, such as appointing Darragh Nelson as captain, and demonstrated McEntee's focus on professionalizing club-level operations. McEntee's club achievements at Ballyboden established his reputation as an emerging managerial talent in circles, culminating in his departure on a high note after the win before transitioning to higher-profile roles.

Early Inter-County Roles

McEntee's initial involvement in inter-county coaching came with the Meath minor team in 2012, where he guided the squad through the Championship to secure the provincial title before advancing to the series. Under his management, Meath defeated Mayo in the semi-final at , with notable early goals contributing to their victory in that encounter. This success led Meath to the 2012 All-Ireland Minor Football Championship final against Dublin on September 23, 2012, at Croke Park, where they were defeated by a scoreline of 1-5 to 0-14. The campaign highlighted McEntee's ability to develop young talent, as evidenced by the team's progression from provincial competition to national contention, though they fell short against a strong Dublin side. No prior inter-county coaching roles at minor or development levels for McEntee are documented prior to this tenure.

Meath Senior Management (2018–2022)

Andy McEntee was ratified as Meath senior football manager on May 25, 2018, following his earlier involvement with the team. In his first full season, Meath reached the final, marking a significant improvement after prior indifferent results, though they lost to . The campaign included victories over lower-seeded teams, showcasing a pragmatic approach focused on defensive solidity rather than expansive play, as McEntee critiqued misconceptions about opponents' attacking styles. The 2019 season brought further progress, with Meath securing promotion to Division 1 of the after a strong performance in Division 2. They again advanced to the Leinster final, defeating sides like Kildare en route, but fell short against once more. McEntee's strategy emphasized rebuilding team culture and competitiveness, prioritizing structured play over high-risk possession retention. Subsequent years yielded mixed outcomes, with Meath facing challenges in maintaining elite contention despite survival in higher divisions. In October 2021, McEntee retained his position after a county board vote rejected an executive push to remove him, with 46 delegates voting against the motion compared to 27 in favor. The team exited the 2022 early and suffered a qualifier defeat in the , leading McEntee to step down on June 6, 2022, after six years total in charge, citing no intent for a third term amid inconsistent championship results.

Antrim Senior Management (2023–2025)

Andy McEntee was ratified as Antrim senior on a three-year term on 11 July 2022, succeeding Enda McGinley and bringing experience from his prior role with Meath. He assembled a backroom team including selector Kevin Nulty by October 2022, focusing on building cohesion ahead of the 2023 season. Under McEntee, Antrim consolidated their position in Division Three during his first two seasons, avoiding relegation while pushing for promotion with competitive results against mid-table opponents. However, in the 2025 league campaign, Antrim suffered relegation to Division Four following a 0-13 to 1-10 defeat to Sligo on 16 March, which left them needing improbable results in remaining fixtures. Earlier wins, such as a 4-16 to 1-11 victory over Leitrim on 22 February, highlighted scoring potential but could not offset inconsistent performances. Antrim reached the semi-finals in both 2023 and 2024 under McEntee, marking successive deep runs for the tier-two competition and demonstrating resilience as an underdog side. In 2023, they advanced to face Meath on 25 June at , leveraging strong group stage form. The 2024 semi-final further solidified progress, with McEntee emphasizing tactical adaptations to exploit Antrim's pace against higher-resourced teams. In Ulster Championship play, Antrim exited early each year, underscoring provincial challenges despite home advantages. They lost 0-13 to 0-9 to Down in on 13 April 2024 amid a feisty encounter, with McEntee defending his players' commitment post-match. The 2025 quarter-final defeat to at Corrigan Park on 12 April followed a strong first-half display, where Antrim led briefly before small margins decided the outcome. McEntee's insistence on hosting the Armagh tie at Corrigan Park—rejecting alternatives like —reflected efforts to harness local support for the outfit. McEntee integrated emerging U20 talents into the senior setup, fostering player development amid Antrim's limited resources compared to rivals. His tenure concluded on 25 June 2025 without extension after the campaign, with expressing gratitude for stabilizing the team while noting the 2025 season's difficulties.

Monaghan Backroom Role (2025–present)

In September 2025, Andy McEntee joined the backroom team supporting Monaghan senior football manager Gabriel Bannigan ahead of the 2026 season. The Monaghan GAA county board confirmed the appointment on 3 September 2025, stating that McEntee would integrate into the existing management structure following his departure from Antrim earlier that year. McEntee's addition addressed the vacancy created by Andy Moran's exit to assume the Mayo senior managerial role. Bannigan praised McEntee's alignment with the team's needs, describing him as a "really good fit" to replace Moran's contributions while leveraging McEntee's prior inter-county management experience from Meath and Antrim. This move marked McEntee's return to Ulster-based involvement after his Antrim tenure, positioning him to support Monaghan's preparations within the competitive provincial landscape.

Personal Life and Challenges

Family and Personal Losses

Andy McEntee originates from the Nobber area in north Meath, a community deeply embedded in (GAA) culture, where the McEntee brothers collectively engaged in . His brother , a former Meath midfielder, secured medals in 1987 and 1988, highlighting the family's sporting involvement. A profound family tragedy occurred with the death of Andy McEntee's brother Shane McEntee, a (TD) and at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, who died by on December 17, 2012. Shane was discovered deceased at his home two days after turning 56 and four days before . In subsequent reflections, Andy McEntee has referenced the enduring bonds that provided resilience following Shane's passing, underscoring a supportive structure amid personal bereavement.

Impact of Public Criticism and Abuse

During his tenure as Meath senior from 2018 to 2022, Andy McEntee received multiple abusive letters sent directly to his home, beginning after Meath's defeat to Longford in the 2021 . The letters arrived at a frequency of a couple per week initially, with some periods seeing increased volume, and included content such as general along with at least one containing a . Online via also targeted McEntee, intensifying following significant losses, including the qualifier defeat to Clare on June 4, 2022, which preceded his announcement. This included false claims about his compensation and personal attacks on members, such as his son Shane, the Meath captain, who publicly noted the arrival of letters at the home alongside online harassment. McEntee described the cumulative effect of the letters and online vitriol as emotionally draining, stating that "it does get to you after a while," with the extending to his and children, who endured it alongside him. He characterized the anonymous nature of many attacks—often from "faceless" individuals using bogus names—as particularly hurtful and lacking accountability, contributing to a personal toll that prompted him to question the value of inter-county roles. In response to the escalation after his departure, issued a statement expressing "" at the personal directed at and players, describing it as a recurring issue in the organization and urging restraint from critics. McEntee publicly implored trolls and letter writers to reconsider their actions, emphasizing the impact of such within the high-pressure environment of GAA . He argued that the ease of attacks exacerbates , stating, "One of the problems with all the attention... it’s becoming less and less attractive" for potential managers, and warned that unchecked negativity deters involvement by amplifying non-professional backlash over substantive engagement. This perspective aligns with broader observations of GAA culture, where managers face routine personal scrutiny that McEntee and county officials highlighted as unacceptable and counterproductive.

Views on Gaelic Football and Controversies

Criticisms of GAA Rule Changes

In March 2025, following Antrim's narrow defeat to Laois in the Allianz Football League Division 3, McEntee voiced strong dissatisfaction with the Football Review Committee's (FRC) , describing their rollout as poorly communicated and imposed without adequate preparation for teams and officials. He highlighted a specific rule interpretation—regarding a procedure that resulted in a free against Antrim—which he claimed had not been clearly briefed to managers beforehand, arguing it unfairly influenced the match outcome and exemplified rushed implementation. McEntee accused the FRC of "ramming it down our throats," emphasizing that the changes prioritized top-down mandates over practical testing, potentially exacerbating inconsistencies in refereeing. Earlier in January 2025, McEntee had expressed reservations about the FRC's trial rules during pre-season challenge matches, stating they would "multiply human error" by overburdening referees with complex enforcement amid ongoing games. He voiced particular concern for the sustainability of these alterations at club level, questioning whether less-resourced structures could adapt without compromising flow or player safety, and advocated for adjustments based on observed data from inter-county trials rather than blanket adoption. McEntee has consistently linked such rule tweaks to broader structural issues, including fixture congestion under the split-season format, which he argued in August 2025 compresses too many matches into brief windows, limiting recovery time and hindering club player development. He identified provincial championships as a primary obstacle to elevating Gaelic football's quality, suggesting they perpetuate outdated scheduling that prioritizes tradition over of player welfare impacts, such as increased risks from overloaded calendars. While acknowledging some FRC innovations had marginally improved in fixtures, McEntee maintained that without data-driven refinements—favoring gradual, evidence-based evolution over hasty overhauls—the changes risked undermining the game's integrity at levels.

Media and On-Field Incidents

In June 2019, following Meath's final defeat to on June 23, Andy McEntee engaged in a heated altercation with Meath Chronicle reporter Jimmy Geoghegan. The incident began during the post-match when Geoghegan posed a question about Meath's performance, prompting McEntee to respond aggressively with expletives. It escalated later when Geoghegan approached the team bus for player quotes, during which McEntee allegedly threatened him, stating, "I’ll take the fking head off you if I fking see you near the dressing room again," and questioned, "Are you f***ing mad?" The exchange was reportedly recorded. confirmed on June 26 that it was investigating the matter, with the Meath Chronicle demanding a formal apology and describing the confrontation as an "extraordinary attack" on a respected . No public resolution or sanction was reported, and McEntee retained his position as manager. McEntee has frequently voiced strong post-match criticisms of and officiating decisions. After Meath's Division 2 loss to Galway on March 1, 2020, he accused match officials of failing to perform their duties adequately and exerting undue influence on the game. Similarly, following a controversial qualifier defeat to Tyrone on June 10, 2018, McEntee highlighted a missed penalty incident, noting the was "less than 10 yards away" and criticizing unawarded frees. In a March 5, 2025, interview after an Antrim match amid the rollout of new rules, McEntee expressed frustration, stating, "I'm f*cking raging, to tell you the truth," over inconsistent application by referees, which he argued undermined fair play. Media coverage has occasionally scrutinized McEntee's animated sideline demeanor during matches, portraying it as intense or overly confrontational, particularly in high-stakes games like the 2018 Tyrone qualifier where his visible frustration drew attention. Such behavior has elicited mixed responses, with some observers labeling it excessive, while supporters and McEntee himself frame it as essential passion required for inter-county management, emphasizing that emotional investment drives player performance without crossing into . No formal disciplinary actions from the GAA have been documented regarding his on-field conduct.

References

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