Hurlers at a crossroads as search for manager begins

A five-man committee was put in place to find a successor to Seoirse Bulfin as Westmeath senior hurling manager at last week's Westmeath GAA County Committee meeting.

The clubs decided that County Committee chairman Frank Mescall, secretary Keith Quinn, hurling committee chairman Willie Murphy, Ian Corrigan (Castletown Geoghegan) and Cormac Boyle (Raharney) would form the selection committee.

This committee was put forward for ratification and delegates duly gave their approval.

The Westmeath senior hurling squad is at a crossroads and the focus of the next manager will be primarily on the development of players, it was said at the meeting. It was felt that the county may well have to endure a lean period before any success comes.

Last week’s County Committee meeting learned that following a meeting with the hurling clubs on June 25, a selection committee was put forward to find a new senior hurling manager.

“It was a really good meeting, very constructive,” said Westmeath GAA chairman Frank Mescall.

Des Cawley, Irish language officer, asked if there is a timeline for the appointment of the manager.

“I’m hoping it’s short; but as I would have referenced the last night, the football manager last year took two months. And before that, the previous one for the hurling manager took six weeks or more," responded Mr Mescall.

Shane Donoghue of Milltownpass asked if the only mandate from the meeting was to put a manager in place, or if the committee had broader functions.

Mr Donoghue questioned if there is a general preference for an internal appointment or an external appointment, or if it is totally up to the selection committee.

"Have the hurling clubs given the selection committee any mandate?” he wondered.

The chairman confirmed the committee has no specific mandate. “It was asked directly at the meeting whether an inside candidate or an outside candidate would be considered. And the answer (from the hurling clubs) was that they assume the selection committee would consider both,” he remarked.

Mr Donoghue said there was a certain amount of disgruntlement last year following the appointment of Seoirse Bulfin as hurling manager.

“I think it was the same process. I would have thought, perhaps, there might be more framework around the expectation; that there would be a number of potential candidates brought back so that we don’t get back to where we were last year,” he remarked. The previous manager had endured a very challenging year, he added.

The chairman replied: “There was a discussion on where we are at. The discussion centred on (the view that) the next manager should be in place for a minimum of three years to develop players. This was coming out loud and clear — the development of players.

“He shouldn’t be given the task of winning Joe McDonagh (Cup) in the first year. The priority is developing players.”

Mr Donoghue replied: “So that is a mandate. It’s a candidate who is development-centric as opposed to a results-driven candidate, of which we know there are quite a few expensive ones out there.”

The chairman explained, rather than a mandate, that this is a wish from the clubs.

Coiste na nÓg secretary Barry Kellynoted that the senior hurling squad could be in a similar position to its football counterpart last year. The football squad performed well, but results were not hectic — but the groundwork has been laid for success down the line. Considering the players they lost and those who went travelling, they did well.

“Dermot McCabe and his group — they made mistakes — but I think they are on the right track,” he remarked.

“The senior hurling squad is at a crossroads and a lot of new young players will need a lot of strength and conditioning work. The likes of Eamonn Cunneen, David Hickey, David Williams — all those players. They have a good bit of talent, but we might well drop down to Division 2B. I don’t think that’s an outlandish fear," said Mr Kelly.

Meanwhile, at club level, Westmeath completed their hurling league finals with the meeting of Ringtown and Raharney in the Division 2 final on June 28, and the chairman complimented the two teams involved following an exciting game.

The previous week the Division 3 final saw Crookedwood overcome Turin. “The colour and the excitement and the enthusiasm was a wonder to behold. Congratulations to Turin and Crookedwood, and I’m not denigrating the Division 1 and Division 2 finals.”