RAFF' RIDE

MEATH full-back Sean Rafferty says the news that selectors Joe McMahon and Martin Corey had left the Royals' management team was a shock to the players.

- BY KARL O'KANE

And the 25-year-old Na Fianna club man believes it leaves a void in Robbie Brennan's set-up ahead of Sunday's Leinster Championship opener against Carlow.

Tyrone All-Ireland-winning player and coach McMahon and Monaghan native Corey were part of the Meath set-up for the Division 2 defeat by Louth nine days ago.

Their departure was a major surprise after Meath stumbled late on in what had been a promising Division 2 campaign before they suffered defeats to Monaghan and Louth.

Rafferty, who has won a starting spot in defence this year, said: "From a players' point of view we found out Saturday. I don't really have much more to tell you.

"(I) don't know why they did that. Not too sure, but from a players' point of view we're just focused on Carlow on Sunday and whatever else has to be dealt with that's going to be up to the powers that be to sort that out."

Rafferty says it's "not ideal at all" to lose two coaches on the eve of the Championship.