Cooney and Quaid to be nominated tomorrow week
Westmeath’s football selection committee have recommended Jack Cooney to become the county’s new football manager – but the decision needs to be ratified by club delegates at next week’s county board meeting, which will take place on Thursday September 13.
The former Westmeath player has plenty of experience in football management at both club and inter-county level. Cooney managed Offaly club Rhode and his own club team Coralstown/Kinnegad in recent times and was a team selector in 2004 when Westmeath won a Leinster SFC title under the management of the late Páidí Ó Sé. Cooney also served as a selector with Donegal under the stewardship of Rory Gallagher.
The Kinnegad man will take over from Colin Kelly, who stepped aside after one season in the wake of Westmeath’s championship exit at the hands of Armagh. At the time of writing, Cooney’s backroom team had yet to be finalised.
Westmeath County Board chairman Billy Foley this week thanked the selection committee team for their endeavours in selecting both a football and hurling manager. Speaking on Monday, Foley said: “I would like to thank the selection committee for all their work over the past number of weeks. We feel we got the best man for the job and we hope that all the clubs will get behind us now and support our recommendation.
“Jack is the right man for the job, the fact that he is a Westmeath man is an extra bonus.
“We’ll be having our next county board meeting on September 13, and hopefully he’ll get the full support of all attending. The backroom team will be completely up to Jack. We have given him a budget and it’s up to him to bring in who he wants. Once he gets the support of the county board, preparations for next year’s National League will begin in earnest.”
Meanwhile, the hurling selection committee has nominated former Limerick goalkeeper Joe Quaid to replace Michael Ryan as Westmeath senior hurling manager.
Quaid tasted success with Kildare when they won the Keogh and Christy Ring Cup in his three-year term with the Lilywhites. He also managed Limerick camogie team from 2013 to 2014.
It’s believed that Quaid will be bringing in Shane O’Brien as head coach. O’Brien is a former Cuala player and has coached various teams including the Kildare senior hurlers. O’Brien will be joined in the set-up by Mike Flynn as performance analyst and Willie Banks as goalkeeping coach.
The Westmeath chairman said he and the selection committee were delighted to get Joe Quaid on board. “He is a quality hurling manager and we are very pleased to have him,” said Foley.
“Westmeath hurling has come a long way over the last ten years, and we have a very competitive club championship now with some terrific hurlers,” added Foley. “Joe believes there is real potential within the county and I know he’s very excited about starting in his new position.
“But once again, we have to wait until he gets the support of the county board and the club delegates.”