Paul Hughes (left) wishing Damien Maher well as he leaves the Westmeath Examiner to take up a new position as parliamentary reporter. Damien has taken over from Paul as sports editor at the Examiner, and bring his years of experience and bulging contacts book.

Change at Examiner sports desk

Paul Hughes, former sports editor at the Westmeath Examiner, has taken up a new position as parliamentary reporter in the Debates Office at the Houses of the Oireachtas.

Paul started working with the Examiner as a reporter in September 2007 and was promoted to sports editor in September 2011.

During his 15 years at the Examiner, Paul experienced a number of significant life events: he was married, to Martina, in September 2011 (they have two daughters, Méabh (7, about to turn 8) and Kate (2, about to turn 3); he graduated with a PhD at Queen’s University Belfast in 2018 on Laurence Ginnell’s Irish republican activism; and he served two terms as Westmeath Historian in Residence, in 2021 and 2022.

Damien worked with the Westmeath Topic between 2001 and 2021, during which time he served as deputy editor and sports editor. Well known in the midlands as a GAA referee, he served on the National Referees Panel and has taken charge of four Westmeath senior football finals (2010, 2012, 2019 and 2021).

A native of Ballynacargy, Damien also served as Westmeath fixtures secretary and Coiste na nÓg secretary. Before joining the Westmeath Examiner as sports editor on Wednesday, he was a games promotion officer for Leinster Council GAA, serving in Westmeath, working with clubs and schools.

Everyone at the Examiner and at Celtic Media Group wishes Paul well in his new role and welcomes Damien to the team.