McHugh keen on big run in Leinster
New Westmeath senior football boss, Mark McHugh, suggests the Lake County should take inspiration from Louth's Leinster success this year and is targeting a big run in the provincial championship next year.
The former Donegal football star was officially ratified as Westmeath manager on Tuesday evening at a meeting of Westmeath GAA’s County Committee, in the Mullingar Park Hotel.
McHugh will have Ryan Daly and Stephen Archie Beatty of Tyrone on a backroom team that will have a distinct Ulster feel. Armagh's Tom Gribben is McHugh's head of performance, covering crucial areas of strength and conditioning, and nutrition.
Jamie Gonoud, only recently retired from Westmeath and still playing with Tyrrellspass, is a selector, joined by Emmet McDonnell of Coralstown/Kinnegad, who was part of Tom Cribbin's backroom team in the past.
The management team has been appointed on a two-year term with the option of a third. “We are looking at a three-year stint,” Westmeath GAA chairman Frank Mescall stressed.
Mr Mescall wished the new manager and his backroom team well, outlining how McHugh is demanding high standards from Westmeath. The Lake County has struggled in the Leinster championship in recent times, losing to Wicklow in 2024 and losing to the same county in the Tailteann Cup this year. The county's only Leinster title came in 2004 under the guidance of the late Kerry legend, Páidí Ó Sé.
“He’s very strong on the Leinster championship and would wonder how Louth can win one, and not us. It is within our grasp, he would maintain, and he is not behind the door in saying that. He’s focused on the league also and in gaining promotion,” explained the chairman, following a query from Maryland’s Kevin Dolan.
There were questions from delegates regarding a budget, how long the new manager is committed to stay and the overall recruitment process.
Ballynacargy’s Brian Sheridan asked why McHugh was considered the best person for the position and the chairman stressed that it was about continuity.
“The group was totally unified; the players were very happy with the management team that was in place. So we looked for continuity and we had a man who was very eager to do the job,” explained Mr Mescall.
It emerged, following a query from Milltownpass delegate Shane Donoghue, that four people were on the shortlist for the role, with McHugh chosen in the end. The chairman declined to publicly identify the other candidates in the race, following a question from Killucan’s Derek Heffernan.
Johnny Rabbitt of Castlepollard queried the term involved and the chairman said the committee is hoping for a three-year stint. “There is no guarantee, no more than there was with Jack Cooney or Dessie Dolan for example, but we hope he will stay for three years,” he remarked.
“There is a rebuilding process going on. New players have been introduced this year and we hope to see the benefit of that,” said the chairman.
Rosemount’s Colm Boland complimented the committee on getting the issue resolved expeditiously. “The manager will have the opportunity to see a lot of the championship as a result,” he observed
Mr Mescall thanked sub-committee members Keith Quinn, Jack Cooney, Niall O’Brien and former Westmeath senior footballer Kevin Maguire for their work on the appointment.