Flanagan focuses on 'rebuilding' ahead of Westmeath's 2012 season opener

Despite the commendable achievement of the senior team topping Division 3 of the National Football League, Westmeath fans considered 2011 to be a very disappointing year overall, with decisive championship defeats by Wexford and Antrim, allied to a very talented U21 side losing out in the Leinster semi-final, making many supporters pessimistic about 2012. However, reinstated manager (at both senior and U21 level) Pat Flanagan is upbeat about the challenges ahead, having recently finalised his backroom teams during the closed season for inter-county players. Joe Quinn has replaced Trevor Smullen as physical trainer and Flanagan is optimistic that his fellow Clara man will be of benefit to Westmeath. "It was decided by the Westmeath County Board that a new trainer was required, so I contacted Joe, as I know him a long time. I knew his capabilities as he has played inter-county (with Offaly) and he also trained Offaly hurling and minor football sides, as well as some rugby teams. He has huge experience and Westmeath are a team in transition who will benefit from his expertise in strength and conditioning work." With Larry Giles stepping down as a selector, former Longford footballer Philip Kiernan is also a new recruit to the Westmeath senior set-up. Flanagan is delighted to have the retired garda on board. "I knew Philip from the time I managed Kilbeggan to win the Westmeath intermediate title in 2000. He was a midfielder and he will guide lads in that area, as he also has huge experience." The new senior backroom team will be straight into action when Westmeath face Offaly in the O'Byrne Cup in Tullamore next Sunday. Flanagan is looking forward to at least two games in the cup and shield competitions. "Last January we beat Dublin but it did not mean a whole pile, and we need to look at the broader picture. We are blooding new players from the U21s last year. We won't have the college or Garrycastle lads, but we want to have a look at the likes of Kieran Sheridan, Ben Moran, John Egan (injured last year), Kevin Maguire (home after spending time abroad), Callum McCormack, Darren Malynn and Trevor English as part of our rebuilding." With John Heslin now contracted to Australian Rules, Pat Flanagan did not need further losses to his panel, but his hurling counterpart Brian Hanley has insisted on a firm commitment to his cause from potential dual players. This has already cost Flanagan the services of Frank Boyle (a football regular over the last six years) and Brendan Murtagh (better known as a hurler, but a valued football panellist in 2011). The former Tyrrellspass manager stated: "I have made my views clear on the dual players issue. I am not sure it benefits the county as a whole. Also, while I congratulate Garrycastle on winning the Leinster title and genuinely hope they go all the way, I could have done with their players in the early rounds of the league. Their loss and some dual players committing to hurling has weakened our panel." While, ultimately, the O'Byrne Cup results won't be crucial to the year ahead, the difficult task of consolidating a place in Division Two of the league starts in early February. Seven difficult ties await the men in maroon and white. Flanagan is looking no further than the opening match on February 5. "Our first game is away to Louth who traditionally start the league well and they have beaten us in our last three competitive games." Indeed, the latter statistic puts a fixture that many Westmeath fans see as a potential two points into perspective, with games against Meath (home), Galway (home), Tyrone (away), Monaghan (home), Kildare (away) and Derry (home) to follow, and Des Dolan and Co unavailable for the opening two games at a minimum. The spectre of Louth looms large again for the all-important championship opener in Páirc Tailteann on May 20 (with the dubious reward of a Croke Park outing against All-Ireland champions Dublin awaiting the winners). Reflecting back to 2011, Pat Flanagan concluded: "We performed better than expected in Division Three last year and maybe the tank was emptied by the time we played Wexford in the championship. They are a seasoned team who have been building quite a while. We are still rebuilding." All Westmeath Gaels will hope that the foundations of a bright future for football in the county are laid in 2012. Bord Na Móna O'Byrne Cup Fixtures Sunday 8th January (2pm) Pairc Tailteann: Meath v Wexford, Paul Kneel (Louth). Baltinglass: Wicklow v DCU, Fergal Barry (Kildare). Leo Casey Park, Ballymahon: Longford v Athlone IT, Fergal Smyth (Offaly). Newbridge: Kildare v DIT, Joe Curley (Meath). Tullamore: Offaly v Westmeath, John Hickey (Carlow). Carlow: Carlow v Dublin, Anthony Nolan (Wicklow). Crettyard: Laois v UCD, Ronald Malone (Dublin).