‘It probably p***ed me off for a couple of days. But I got over it’

Former Westmeath senior hurling manager Joe Quaid has said that he is still in the dark as to why his brief reign was not extended by Westmeath GAA in 2019.

The All Star-winning former Limerick goalkeeper was the subject of TG4’s latest ‘Laochra Gael’ documentary, which was broadcast last night.

Quaid was axed by Westmeath in July 2019, despite enjoying league and Kehoe Cup success earlier that year, and reaching the Joe McDonagh Cup final.

His predecessor, Waterford’s Michael Ryan, who was interviewed for the documentary, said that at the end of his own tenure he felt that a “new voice and a change” was needed for Westmeath hurling. Quaid was subsequently appointed to the role in September 2018.

Ryan said that the Lake County looked to be making strides under Quaid, winning Division 2A of the National Hurling League.

“[Then] I got sacked,” Quaid said. “I asked for reasons. I asked for a meeting. I was told, ‘No’. But sure, that’s their own decision.”

Former Offaly hurler Pat Fleury was also interviewed for the programme and made some remarks about Westmeath’s decision to drop Quaid.

“They said there were ‘cultural differences’; now I don’t know what that means. You need to ask someone from the Westmeath county board about that,” the two-time All Star and All-Ireland winner said.

Quaid, who guided Kildare to the Christy Ring Cup in 2018, added: “It probably pissed me off and affected me for a couple of days. But I got over it.”

When asked about the programme this morning, chairman Frank Mescall said that Westmeath GAA would not be making any further comment about its decision to part company with Quaid.

“We thank him for his service. He brought the hurlers on considerably, and we wish him well in his future endeavours,” he added.