County footballers get new manager

The new Westmeath football manager was expected to be named at a meeting of Westmeath Football Board which was convened in Cusack Park, Mullingar last night (Tuesday).There was widespread speculation early this week that the Committee charged with finding a new supremo had opted for a person from outside Westmeath, but who had forged links with a Westmeath club in recent times.Both the Football Board Chairman, Des Maguire and the County Secretary, Pat Lynagh were unavailable on Tuesday morning but the Westmeath Examiner believe that a number of high profile candidates whose names had been in the frame, were not in the running. These included former Galway start, Brian Talty, who more recently was involved on the management team of his adopted county, Dublin while another Galway native, Gerry Fahy, who did a twelve month stint as Offaly supremo was also ruled out.In recent days, the name of Declan Darcy, one of the finest footballers to emerge from Leitrim, was added to the mix, but again it appears he is not the chosen candidate.At time of going to press, it could not be confirmed if either Pat Flanagan, who guided Tyrrellspass to senior championship successes or former Meath ace, Colm Coyle who is currently managing the fortunes of Coralstown/Kinnegad had been interviewed by the committee. Flanagan was a member of former manager,Tomás Ó Flatharta's backroom team last year and is believed to have developed a great rapport with the players.