Eamonn Barry, who is seeking a second term as Meath senior football team manager, has four challengers after the county board announced the list of runners for the position yesterday.
Five of the nine nominated have stood their ground with former All-Ireland winners Tommy Dowd and Colm Coyle likely to provide strong opposition to Barry. Dudley Farrell, the manager of the county minors who meet Roscommon in an All-Ireland semi-final on Sunday, and former Louth manager Paddy Carr are the other contenders.
Gerry McEntee, Liam Hayes, Mattie Kerrigan and Paul Kenny have opted out of the race.
Those who have declared their interest will be interviewed by members of the county executive in the coming days.
Dowd, Meath's All-Ireland winning captain 10 years ago, has emerged as favourite although he has no experience of managing a county team.
A manager will be ratified by a full meeting of the county board in a few weeks' time.
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