Cooney returns as several clubs appoint new managers

The Westmeath GAA managerial merry-go-round is in full swing again and several clubs will have new faces for the season ahead.

The Mullingar Shamrocks club has confirmed that former Maryland and Westmeath footballer David Martin is taking charge of the senior side in what is the most high profile change. He takes over from Micheál Burke who made a major impression in recent years.

Elsewhere, Jack Cooney remains on in Coralstown/Kinnegad as they bid to go one better than this year. Ken McNevin, Shane Mangan, Andrew Heduvan, Gerry Browne and David Lynch are part of a strong backroom team.

Meanwhile, Tyrrellspass will be managed by former Mullingar Shamrocks coach, Enda Monaghan, who played a leading role when the Mullingar club won the senior title in 2018. Tyrrellspass will feel they can benefit from such experience and that Monaghan’s success with his native club can rub off on their young players. Former star Ger Egan stepped into the breach this year and they recovered very well after an early setback, their victory over Coralstown/Kinnegad one of the highlights.

Killucan have Frank Boyle and Conor Jordan at the helm again. Val Daly returns for another year with Moate All Whites, but Pat Flanagan’s two-year term as Caulry manager is over.

Elsewhere, Tang will be managed by former player Paul Conway, a Westmeath star for many years, who played a key role in 2004 when the Lake County defeated Dublin in Croke Park en route to their historic Delaney Cup success. Introduced as a second half substitute, Conway scored an inspirational point for Páidí Ó Sé’s men.

Meanwhile, the Athlone senior footballers will be managed by John Twaddle, who enjoyed a spell with Moate All Whites in recent years before managing Clonguish, Longford. Gary Dolan will be joined by John Keane on the Garrycastle management team and they have been a winning combination in the past.

Meanwhile, Milltown, chasing an intermediate football title, have announced the appointment of Barry Downey as their new manager for next year. He was in charge of Killucan at the start of 2025.

Originally from Tallaght and now residing in Tuam, he brings with him over 30 years of management experience at club and county level. He most recently guided Killucan to the Division 2 league this year.

He has also managed Cortoon Shamrocks and St James’ in Galway, Parnells, St Margaret’s and Ballyboden St Enda’s in Dublin, the Galway senior ladies football team, along with other sides in Meath and Kildare.

His backroom team is to be announced over the coming weeks.

“Everyone at Milltown GAA would like to wish Barry the very best of luck for the year ahead,” a club statement read.

Elsewhere, their neighbours Shandonagh will be managed by Ray Sheridan for the second year and having come so close to Tubberclair in this year’s final, they will be strong contenders to regain senior status next year. Indeed, it promises to be an intriguing battle with Milltown in the race for the Peter Geraghty Cup.

Meanwhile, Multyfarnham have installed former Kilbeggan Shamrocks boss, Niall O’Brien as their new manager and they will also be building towards a strong run in the intermediate grade.

Elsewhere, Ballynacargy junior footballers will be managed by Tom Brennan of Shandonagh, who takes over from Graham O’Connor and John Gordon. They showed promising form against eventual winners Ballinagore in the group stages this year, but generally struggled and were well behind St Loman’s, Mullingar in the quarter-final.

Nigel Adamson is in charge of Kilbeggan Shamrocks again and they will be major players in the junior football championship. St Loman’s, Mullingar, The Downs and Mullingar Shamrocks all look strong.