I have to say, a local reporter running after Andy McEntee after a press conference had ended into the corridors of Croke Park and asking a question to wind him up after a 16-point Leinster final loss is not on in my opinion. I buy the Chronicle every week and will continue to do so but that is poor.
And then to get the response that everyone would expect, by winding him up and then for him to lose his cool - they print it on the front page and try to make themselves look the victim. Bad form in my opinion, I know some will disagree with me but turning on our own county manager is not what Meath people want to see.

49erroyal (Meath) - Posts: 53 - 26/06/2019 10:20:17    2201100

Asking a stupid question at a time like that is known as 'asking to be told to f**k off'.

Very surprised as I am a fan of the Chronicle and its sports section. Surely it is just a slip up and something the reporter would not normally get caught up in. We can all get into stickey situations unintentionally. Maybe he was pushed by hurling stalwarts only focused on their game to get an answer? Who knows?

More surprised that the Chronicle did not let it go as they themselves provoked response?

Generally losing team managers might be better off taking a few hours cooling off time before getting interviewed anyway. Of course reporters are sent in immediately as they can get an unguarded statement while adrenaline is still high.

Ashrules (Dublin) - Posts: 342 - 26/06/2019 10:39:44    2201111

Some people saying it was naive of the reporter to ask a question like that at a time like that. I disagree. This hugely experienced reporter knew exactly what he was at asking that particular question at that time. Very poor form. In my opinion Andy was right to tell him where to go.

Aloblack (Meath) - Posts: 265 - 26/06/2019 10:50:06    2201122

Don't have a major problem with his reaction to the initial question but his later threat to inflict physical violence on the reporter probably isn't a great look.

GallantJohnJoe (Cavan) - Posts: 310 - 26/06/2019 10:59:45    2201133

Andy was dead right.
Reporter was fishing for a reaction with that question.
Wasn't the time or place for a question that has been raising debate for a long time now.

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6158 - 26/06/2019 11:15:12    2201149

Andy was 100% wrong to threaten physical violence.
Under no circumstances can that be condoned.
Perhaps the timing of the initial question could have been better but I will say one thing I know the reporter personally and he'd be the last one to try and deliberately stir it, if he's guilty of anything it would be poor timing.
If he really wanted to cause a problem he could have asked that question in the general press conference and hoped for a reaction there, instead he diplomatically posed it privately.
It brings into question Andys ability to cope and remain calm under pressure.
As for the county boards response that was ridiculous in the extreme it didn't even address the main point.
However an apology is due and everyone should, and I'd imagine will, move on once that happens.

BoynesideBlue (Meath) - Posts: 130 - 26/06/2019 11:39:38    2201165

Rubbing salt in the wounds by putting that on the cover of the local paper. It's only 12 days out from our most important game in years. This will make for easy clickbait in media outlets across the country and it's an unnecessary distraction for the team.

begining (UK) - Posts: 277 - 26/06/2019 11:50:12    2201171

As has been said, to ask that at any time when the whole county knows the answer, comes across as poor at best. There was nothing genuine about the question. To do it after a Leinster final of that manner is shameful. To then bring this whole thing in to the open while we try to dust ourselves off for the biggest game in years is simply unforgivable.

This will now be a national story and the last thing we need, if they were sincere in wanting an apology, do it behind closed doors, not in national media. And if you don't get an apology so what, no one is obliged to put up with that sort of crap and for them to act on this the way they have shows arrogance and delusion beyond belief.

With loyalty comes choosing sides, with Meath it has always been us v the rest. I wasn't embarrassed about the result on Sunday but to have our supposed own sell us out like this to the rest I was, and it won't be forgotten.

dunboynelad (Meath) - Posts: 198 - 26/06/2019 11:56:47    2201178

BoynesideBlue (Meath) - Posts: 130 - 26/06/2019 12:02:51    2201180

Aloblack (Meath) - Posts: 265 - 26/06/2019 12:11:15    2201183

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6158 - 26/06/2019 12:13:04    2201184

Hopefully some people will complain to the Chronicle regarding this, for our own Newspaper to run with this as the front page is ridiculous and childish. Stupid question at a stupid time and simply Attention seeking. Hopefully this wont affect the team. Just as bad as the English Media every World cup.

SheridansTry (Meath) - Posts: 168 - 26/06/2019 12:20:02    2201188

BoynesideBlue (Meath) - Posts: 130 - 26/06/2019 12:21:38    2201190

Disgusted at this story coming out with both the time and the manner in which it has been put out. At a time when the county needs to come together behind its footballers and IMO the best manager a team like ourselves could hope for.

These things can be sorted in private. Maybe that would take longer than the 3/4 days that was allowed.

I cant say I agree with McEntees choice of words, or his attitude at times. But I couldn't care less. I dont want him there for his interviews. I want him there for his knowledge of the game, his experience, methods, and the stability that he is bringing to the team.

He is not a professional, he is an amateur. Every man has good and bad days. But to be provoked on one of your bad days as he was, many would expect the reaction that resulted, especially from an the manager of an amateur football team.

I think the Meath Chronicle may have done their own reputation damage with the way in which this has been handled.

nibuagandua (Meath) - Posts: 14 - 26/06/2019 12:24:40    2201194

Andy should've been smart enough to see what was happening and just answer the question with a polite "no". Even a gruff "no" would have been a non-event. It's a pity because he's doing a good job and doesn't need this rubbish.

Trimbaland (Meath) - Posts: 11 - 26/06/2019 12:36:27    2201207

Aloblack (Meath) - Posts: 265 - 26/06/2019 12:39:49    2201208

I also buy the Chronicle every week but think they went too far. That question is the equivalent of modern day trolling. I'd expect better from him.

I have to say Andy is a breath of fresh air. Doesn't try and hide his passion. He was obviously devastated after Sunday knowing how hard the team has trained all year.

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 26/06/2019 12:54:28    2201214

meath1977 (Meath) - Posts: 459 - 26/06/2019 13:08:57    2201219

meath1977 (Meath) - Posts: 459 - 26/06/2019 13:18:35    2201228

meath1977 (Meath) - Posts: 459 - 26/06/2019 13:19:17    2201229