Maryland delegate critical of McCabe

'It was poor form from him the way this was handled'

The search is underway for a new Westmeath senior football manager, following the departure of Dermot McCabe on Monday.

Speaking on the matter at Tuesday’s Westmeath GAA County Committee meeting in Bloomfield House Hotel, Frank Mescall, chairman, acknowledged it’s difficult to have to go looking for a new senior football manager, but thanked Dermot McCabe for his work in the county.

However, Maryland’s Kevin Dolan claimed Westmeath were too slow to react and criticised Dermot McCabe for his handling of the situation.

“If it was three weeks’ ago, and we knew his name was in for a job in Cavan, which he is entitled to do - but if he didn’t get the job in Cavan, were we happy for him to come back to Westmeath? I think it was poor from him, the way this was handled. We deserved to know a little bit earlier,” he declared.

“I understand the decision he made, but the dogs on the street knew he was in for the Cavan job - there were two names in for it. I felt a little bit let down. I’m not questioning his coaching or anything, and yes he is entitled to go back to Cavan, he’s from there. But I still think he could have handled this a little better.”

Mr Mescall accepted the delegate’s view. “It’s very possible, Kevin. He was on holiday for two weeks until Monday. So that slowed up the process for Cavan. And again it’s just amazing how these things get out into the media,” he said.

“They had their interviews on Saturday, so I don’t think there is a whole lot we could do. We could ask for his resignation, but I think that would leave a bitter taste in his goodbye. What is two or three weeks in the process? I do take on board what you say.”

Garrycastle's Michael Mannion was also critical. “If he didn't get the Cavan job, would he still be Westmeath manager?” he wondered.

Mr Mescall replied: “It’s a hypothetical (question) and I have enough problems to answer real questions, besides answering hypothetical ones. I’m not going to answer that.”

Barry Kelly, Coiste na nÓg secretary, noted that the hurling process took around five weeks so if the football one is similar, it means Westmeath championships will have reached the knock-out stages.

“That’s the point the other delegates are making. An outside manager - it’s a danger in a way. This is less likely to happen with someone internal. I’m not saying we should go internal, but there is always the possibility of an outside manager, if he does well, his own county comes looking. And they are tempted. We do need to get cracking on this now,” he said.

The football manager’s position took over two months the last time, Mr Mescall noted.

It was agreed that Westmeath begin the process with a five-man committee, including Mr Mescall, Keith Quinn (secretary), Niall O’Brien (football committee chairman), Jack Cooney and former Westmeath captain Kevin Maguire, or some recently retired footballer.

“We are not going to rush it for the sake of time; the vital thing is that we get the right person,” added Mr Mescall.

The chairman expressed his disappointment that the issue was made public.

“It’s disappointing in recent weeks that this was played out in the media. Up until yesterday (Monday) at 5pm, as far as I was concerned, Dermot was still our manager. He confirmed then that he was no longer our manager,” he said.

“I just want to thank the Cavan county board, in particular their Head of Operations, or full-time secretary, Martin Cahill, who kept me informed of the whole process going back two or three weeks. He kept me up to speed, letting me know exactly what was happening. I just want to acknowledge him.

“It’s a position that we would not wish to be in. The footballers had a really good year - lost many games closely. Even though doing that, there would normally be a bit of discontent in a squad, when you’re losing, there wasn’t one voice raised. For the whole management team that Dermot led; his two coaches and the local involvement - everybody involved in management was so appreciative of the work.

“I would be particularly disappointed in that Dermot is a full-time GAA coach, Games Manager in Cavan, and in the number of months he was with us, we would have talked at different stages about structures to put in place. He would have a wealth of knowledge on that. We are going to miss out on that as well as his contribution to our flagship team.

“But do we bear any bitterness? Certainly not. It’s his home county, he had to go for it. If he turned it down this year, will he get a chance in three years’ time? Possibly not. We know how times change.

“We wish him the very best of luck. We thank him for what he has done for us, the contribution he has made to football in our county, and we get on with it, and we try and find a new manager.”

Joe Daly (Tyrrellspass), Leinster Council delegate, said it’s understandable that Dermot McCabe went for the Cavan position and wished him well.