Pat Flanagan takes over Westmeath

rebel girl 15

The Westmeath County Board has appointed Pat Flanagan as the interim manager of the senior football team, in the wake of Brendan Hackett's resignation last week.

Offaly native Flanagan will take charge throughout the Championship until September, when it is understood that Dessie Dolan Senior will be granted an interview for the full-time job, should he want to get involved.

Flanagan was a selector with Tomás O Flatharta in Westmeath. And he also recorded considerable succcess as club manager of Tyrellspass.

Wingman2010

Great appointment! I'm familiar with Westmeath Gaa. They had a very good U21 team this year and a few of them will be on the senior panel. Denis Glennon and Des Dolan will be re-joining the panel. They will get to a Leinster Final this summer; you heard it here first... They have a decent draw in the championship. People might think I'm mad for saying they will get to the final; but watch this space..

patmac

Wingman2010 wrote: »

Great appointment! I'm familiar with Westmeath Gaa. They had a very good U21 team this year and a few of them will be on the senior panel. Denis Glennon and Des Dolan will be re-joining the panel. They will get to a Leinster Final this summer; you heard it here first... They have a decent draw in the championship. People might think I'm mad for saying they will get to the final; but watch this space..

I hope your right, but I feel you are being a tad optimistic, as a full Westmeath side that has been training together all year would struggle to beat Wicklow (presuming they beat carlow)

Wingman2010

They will beat them alright. I hope Heslin is not rushed into the setup this year. Even though he may be gone soon. He is going down under in 2 weeks for a trial with Collingwood unfortunately from a Westmeath point of view. I put this up in Hoganstand yesterday but the editor did not allow it go up for some reason. He will be signed up if he shows any of the form he is showing this year.

CRenegade

Be good if dessie Senior got a shot at it, anybody know any more on if he interested?

patmac

CRenegade wrote: »

Be good if dessie Senior got a shot at it, anybody know any more on if he interested?

He is currently manager at Clan na Gael in Roscommon. Flanagan has the job until September as to interview candidates would take up too much time. Hopefully they will have the decency to give him an interview then.

bluejay14

Thank god Hackett was ousted along with most of his backroom team. What good can an olympic boxer and canoeist do for a GAA team?

If we do end up playing Wicklow in Leinster I don't really think we have a hope seeing as it took extra-time to beat them in last year's. At least it looks like Glennon and Dessie are coming back though, pair them up with Flannagan and they could be dangerous though.

I'm not too optimistic though and don't hold out much hope.

DDC1990

Same Pat Flanagan that was involved with Kerry?

bluejay14

DDC1990 wrote: »

Same Pat Flanagan that was involved with Kerry?

I haven't heard anything about any links with Kerry.

He was a selector with O Flahartha and manager of Tyrrellspass.

patmac

DDC1990 wrote: »

Same Pat Flanagan that was involved with Kerry?

No he's a biffo.

Wingman2010

But a good BIFFO! He will do a great job.

thalia_13

I dont think dessie senior would be a good choice, it would totally introduce favouritism within the team, with garrycastle especially. Des jr threw a strop this yr when his dad did not get an interview, much as i would like to see westmeath do well, not at the expense of the team. Michael lydon taught alot of the westmeath team football when noone else had am interest why should bandwagon jumpers be allowed be opportunistic? The team offer a good manager dedicated to progressing the team

TheWestsAwake

Well best of luck to ye, from an outside vantage point Westmeath football appears to be in a terminal state of decline. It must really have sapped any confidence from the county falling from div. 1 to div. 3 without a single victory. Like their neighbours Roscommon, who are also spiraling out of control downwards. I would be more worried about Westmeath as they do not have the same tradition to fall back on to dig themselves out of this deepening hole.

Wingman2010

I wouldn't be too worried about Westmeath footballers this summer. I expect them to do well and surprise a lot of outsiders looking in. But what is slightly worrying is the selectors announced today. All they need to do is bring back Tomas and they have practically the same sep up as last year.

The U21's had a very good year. The minors would be expected to win their next game also. But what is worrying and annoying for Westmeath fans is that 'Heslin' is being tapped up already by AFL.

bluejay14

At least Glennon's back now and they're trying to get Dessie and John Keane back too...