Delegates give unanimous backing to Pat Flanagan

The man who stepped into the breach as interim Westmeath football manager earlier this year, Pat Flanagan has received the unanimous support of Football Board delegates to continue in that role for the coming season. At a hastily convened meeting of the Board, held in Cusack Park, Mullingar last Friday evening, Chairman, Des Maguire said just two people, Mr. Flanagan and Des Dolan Snr. had been interviewed for the position and the decision of the four strong panel was to recommend Pat Flanagan.Both candidates had been interviewed on the previous Wednesday evening, Mr. Maguire confirmed, adding that the post is for twelve months. He told the delegates Mr. Flanagan had sought a two year period but according to bye law the Manager must be ratified every twelve months.Mr. Flanagan was proposed by Sean Sheridan, Tyrrellspass and seconded by Seamus Browne, Maryland.After the Chairman told the meeting that Mr. Flanagan believed he would require two or possibly three years in the post, Richie Browne, Maryland enquired what the Manager’s package contained.Responding Mr. Maguire said there was no package on the table and Mr.. Flanagan’s only concern was that there should be one selector from the north of the county and one from the south. He said the new senior boss had been asked to take over the reins of the Under 21s and had agreed to do so.Mr. Farrell told the meeting that the new Manager should be allowed to choose his own selectors but undertook to consult the county committee. He said the County Board officers had also spoken with the panel of players in recent times.Ballymore delegate, Mr. John Cunningham reminded the meeting that less than twelve months ago, the County Board had given their backing to a different man. “Then when the results started to go wrong, they did not give that backing. There is no point coming back her in January or February and saying he is a disaster and we need to get rid of him.“He has a huge job on his hands and needs to have a role in the development of football in the county”, continued Mr. Cunningham. “We cannot come back in here and say we want him changed”.Loughnavalley delegate, Mr. Christy Keenan felt it was unwise to give Pat Flanagan the Under 21 job as well. “Let him do the senior job only”, he argued.However, Mr. Cunningham disagreed. “We must give him the Under 21 job if we are looking for success in the future. If we are looking for short term success, then we need someone else at Under 21”, he stated.Mr. Ger Coyne, Castletown-Finea/Coole/Whitehall recalled that difficulties had been experienced in the past when different managers were in charge of the Under 21 and senior teams. “Players should play in their own grade first and then move on.“Last year, the tail began to wag the dog. The thing of begging players to play for their county is a sad situation. If they are not prepared to play and wear the county jersey with pride, they should be left on the sideline”, he added.Kilbeggan delegate, Mr. Ger Carton said eleven players from last year’s Under 21 team are on the senior panel. I believe Pat Flanagan should be the Under 21 manager. He was supported by Mr. Des Briody, Killucan.After Mr. Maguire told the meeting that Pat Flanagan feels very sincere about this matter and feels the need to be involved, Mr. Sheridan proposed that he be appointed Under 21 manager as well, a proposal that was seconded by Mr. Albert Lowry, Tubberclair and carried unanimously.