McCabe's Westmeath future uncertain after Cavan nomination

There is now uncertainty over Dermot McCabe's future as Westmeath senior football manager, as he has been nominated for the managerial vacancy in his native Cavan.

The Anglo Celt newspaper has reported that McCabe and former county teammate Finbar O’Reilly have both been nominated for the position of Cavan manager. The role became vacant when Raymond Galligan decided to step down after the conclusion of Cavan's All-Ireland SFC campaign.

The preference among Cavan GAA officials is for an internal appointment and McCabe - one of the stars of Cavan's Ulster SFC success in 1997 - could be a popular choice among the county's clubs.

The Gowna man is also employed as full-time Games Development Manager with Cavan GAA.

“We would hope that one of the two people will be appointed, we have to be respectful of the fact that one of them is involved in another county,” Cavan GAA head of operations Martin Cahill told the Anglo Celt.

Speaking this afternoon (Tuesday), Westmeath GAA chairman Frank Mescall expressed a strong preference for McCabe staying in charge, pointing to some "really good performances" this year.

And it's understood that the last time Westmeath GAA officials were in contact with McCabe, the Cavan man was looking ahead regarding plans for next year with the Lake County.

Westmeath were relegated from Division 2 of the Allianz Football League earlier this year after a series of narrow and unlucky defeats.

Yet the team's league performances were commendable, particularly considering a plethora of players from the 2024 season were missing for various reasons. Indeed, Westmeath were the third highest scorers across the four league divisions, but a hefty concession proved too much to overcome.

Westmeath went on to push Kildare close in their Leinster quarter-final played in Newbridge. And despite disappointment over Westmeath's Tailteann Cup exit, with a galling defeat to Wicklow at the quarter-final stage, it was expected that McCabe would remain in charge for the 2026 season.

At this stage it remains to be seen if McCabe's preference is to stay with Westmeath for at least another year. However, it would be hard for McCabe to turn down the opportunity to manage his home county, whom he served with great distinction as a player.

Westmeath are currently seeking a new senior hurling manager to succeed Seoirse Bulfin, and GAA officials could do without the additional challenge of trying to recruit a football boss.