Kiernan joins Westmeath set-up in selector role

Westmeath senior football manager Pat Flanagan's long search for a second selector has ended with the appointment of former Longford midfielder Philip Kiernan to his management team. Kiernan, who has lived in Westmeath for the past 20 years, and is a former player (under Flanagan's watch) with Kilbeggan Shamrocks, will get a first taste of action with the Westmeath set-up when the Lake County take on Wicklow in a challenge fixture on New Year's Day. A large provisional panel has been working away steadily on a rigorous gym programme, to have them in good shape and condition for the upcoming Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup clash with Offaly on January 8. The panel that travels to Wicklow on New Year's Day will not include the Garrycastle players, as their All-Ireland Club SFC campaign continues apace. However, the Mullingar Shamrocks contingent are back in the fold, and Pat Flanagan is eager to get an early look at his charges for the coming year. "The lads have been doing their gym work, and we'll have a fitness test before the Wicklow game," said Flanagan. "We have the Sigerson Cup coming up soon, so we'll probably be down a dozen players when that's on, but we have lots to work with, and we'll be having a close look at these guys with the Offaly game in mind," added the former Tyrrellspass manager. Included among the extended panel is Paul Bannon, who stepped away from the fold during last year's campaign. Westmeath are also pencilled in to play Longford in a challenge match next midweek, but a venue and date were not confirmed at time of print. Flanagan was delighted to welcome Philip Kiernan aboard. "Philip has a vast amount of inter-county experience with Longford, and that will help the young lads in our set-up," said Flanagan. "I want my selectors to do as much coaching work as possible, and expect Philip to work closely with the midfielders and attackers. We have Tom (Darcy) to contribute with the defence. As a player, Philip was hugely committed and a fine example to the younger players he played with. I expect him to have a similar impact with Westmeath," added Flanagan. Kiernan, who played for the O'Farrell County between 1977 and 1988, and who won two Longford SFC medals with St Patrick's of Ardagh, steps into the breach left by Larry Giles' departure, after he stepped down at the end of last season. He will now link up with Flanagan, Rosemount's Tom Darcy - who is entering his second year as a selector - and new team trainer Joe Quinn, who is a club-mate of Flanagan's in Clara. Kiernan has been living in Kilbeggan for the past 20 years and won an Westmeath IFC medal with the club in 2000 when Flanagan was manager. Meanwhile, Flanagan also confirmed Brendan Murtagh has joined Francis Boyle in committing to the county hurling team, thus ruling him out of contention for the footballers. Brian Hanley, the county hurling manager, has insisted all hurlers fully commit to the hurling set-up, and doesn't want his players playing both codes. "Brendan has gone down that road, like Francis Boyle, but I'm not sure about Paul Greville. The last time I spoke to Paul he was unsure whether he was leaving the country or not, so we'll have to wait and see with that one," said Flanagan. Bord na Mona O'Byrne Cup First Round (January 8, 2012) 1. Meath v Wexford (Navan, 2pm) 2. Louth v Kilkenny (Drogheda, 2pm) 3. Wicklow v DCU (Baltinglass, 2pm) 4. Longford v Athlone IT (Longford, 2pm) 5. Kildare v DIT (Newbridge, 2pm) 6. Offaly v Westmeath (Tullamore, 2pm) 7. Carlow v Dublin (Carlow, 2pm) 8. Laois v UCD (Crettyard, 2pm) 9. 1 v 2 (January 15) 10. 3 v 4 (January 15) 11. 5 v 6 (January 15) 12. 7 v 8 (January 15) 13. 9 v 10 (January 22) 14. 11 v 12 (January 22) Final: 13 v 14 ((January 29)