Former Meath star is Castledaly’s new boss

CASTLEDALY have pulled off a major coup with the announcement that former Meath football star Graham Geraghty has agreed to take over as the club's senior team manager for the 2011 season. Geraghty, 37, won two All-Star awards (1994 and 1999), three Leinster SFC titles, and two All-Ireland crowns during an illustrious playing career with the Royal County, captaining his county to Sam Maguire success in 1999. A highly versatile and talented footballer, Geraghty started his Meath senior career as a wing-back before he was moved to the forward line with great success. Geraghty, who won All-Ireland minor (1990) and U-21 (1993) titles with Meath, often proved a major thorn in Westmeath's side in big games. Geraghty represented his country against Australia in the International Rules series, and his wide ranging wealth of sporting experience has seen him play for a period with Athlone-based rugby club Buccaneers, and also undergo a trial with English Premier League club Arsenal as a teenager. Speaking to the 'Westmeath Independent' this week, Geraghty confirmed he has no plans to join Castledaly in a playing capacity, and will focus entirely on coaching the team. He said he looks forward to the challenge of managing in Westmeath, and believes Castledaly have enough potential to mount a serious challenge in this year's SFC. “The initial contact with Castledaly came through a friend of mine, who was aware Castledaly were looking for someone. I had a chat with club officials and they're very professional and enthusiastic, and they want to better the club. I know they won the senior football championship a few years ago, but they were disappointed with how they performed in last year's championship. There's obviously plenty of potential there, and a good crop of younger players coming through,†said Geraghty. “I wanted to take a management job outside Meath. I'm still playing a bit in Meath with Clann na nGael (in Athboy), so you couldn't coach in Meath too, because you can get situations where the two clubs meet each other, which actually happened to me last year. “Obviously, Castledaly will now be my priority and if there's ever a case where Castledaly and Clann na nGael matches clash, then Castledaly will always come first. “I'm looking forward to the challenge. Castledaly might not have performed so well in last year's championship but they won the league, and they beat the top teams in Westmeath in doing so. It will probably take a couple of months to get to grips with the players, and see what they're good at, and where they should play and so on. I'm not really into defensive football and have always been involved with attack-minded teams, but I won't force my style on the players, we'll see what suits them first,†said Geraghty. The ex-Meath star, who lives close to the Meath-Westmeath border, between Delvin and Athboy, met the Castledaly players last Sunday and said the initial reaction was “very goodâ€. Training will begin on Friday week (January 28) and two club members will be appointed selectors by then. As well as coaching with Na Fianna (Enfield) in recent years, Geraghty has also been over the Blanchardstown IT senior team, a post he plans to continue in. He has also had a coaching role with Longford, under manager Glenn Ryan. “Hopefully, I can propel Castledaly forward,†he said. “Any coach wants to win the championship but as I said to the players, that's a long way off, and for now we just have to focus on winning every single match we play, whether that's a challenge match, league game, or championship game.†Ironically, one of Geraghty's most recent contributions to Clann na nGael's history was helping them to defeat Westmeath outfit Rosemount in the 2007 Leinster JFC final. Castledaly chairman John Dolan said: “Everyone associated with Castledaly is delighted to have a person of Graham's experience and expertise on board, and I think it shows how seriously we are taking our challenge for the 2011 championship.†As well as proving one of the country's most naturally gifted footballers, and taking in many honours along the way, Geraghty has never been far from controversy throughout his career. In 2006, Geraghty was selected by the Fine Gael party to contest the 2007 general election in the Meath West constituency.