WESTMEATH FOOTBALL:THE WESTMEATH County Board will meet this Wednesday evening to begin the process of appointing a new senior football intercounty manager following the weekend resignation of Brendan Hackett.
Westmeath officials may even be in a position to announce a new manager on Wednesday night, with Dessie Dolan snr – who was surprisingly overlooked for the job in the first place – believed to be the preferred choice of the players.
“It is with regret that Westmeath County Board confirms the resignation of senior and under-21 county football manager Brendan Hackett and his backroom team,” read a county board statement.
“Brendan Hackett contacted county chairman Tom Farrell to confirm his decision after meeting with the full panel of players.
“Westmeath GAA would like to acknowledge Brendan’s contribution to Westmeath football especially with our under-21 team bringing them to the Leinster under-21 final.”
Speaking on radio, Farrell insisted the matter was not brought about by “player power” in Westmeath.
“I don’t think that’s the reason, in fairness, because I have to be fair to the players as well. They made representations and . . . Brendan took everything on board.”
Hackett previously managed Longford (1987-’90) and Offaly (1990-’92) and also trained the 1990 Internationals Rules squad.
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